FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan: Detainees

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs with reference to the Government's response to paragraph 121 of the report of the Intelligence and Security Committee on the handling of detainees by UK intelligence personnel in Afghanistan, if he will place in the Library a copy of the guidance given to UK intelligence personnel prior to their deployment in respect of  (a) the treatment of detainees and  (b) reporting procedures in the event of concerns.

David Miliband: Guidance given to UK intelligence personnel prior to their deployment in respect of  (a) the treatment of detainees and  (b) reporting procedures in the event of concerns is operational, and for that reason has never been published. The guidance is based on clear principles:
	Torture is both abhorrent and illegal, and that the UK should never participate, never encourage and never condone the use of torture.
	The UK has obligations under both international and domestic law, including under the Convention Against Torture, and that we should act consistent with those obligations.
	The UK makes it clear to our partners that we stand by the above principles.

Afghanistan: Detainees

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1242W, on Guantanamo Bay: detainees, if he will place in the Library a copy of the written transfer agreement for the return of Binyam Mohamed concluded on 20 February 2009.

David Miliband: The written transfer arrangement for Mr. Mohamed's release and return from Guantanamo Bay, agreed on 20 February 2009, was a private document between the Government and the US Government. It is our long-standing policy not to comment on the detail of operational matters.

Afghanistan: Peacekeeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 23 February 2009,  Official Report, column 362W, on Afghanistan: peacekeeping operations, what the objectives of the internal stock-take of Government policy in Afghanistan completed in December 2008 were.

David Miliband: The stock-take measured progress in Afghanistan from November 2007 to November 2008. It was intended to inform the Government, as part of the review announced by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister in the debate on Her Majesty the Queen's speech in December 2008.

Balkans: EC Enlargement

William Cash: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent progress has been made on implementation of the EU enlargement strategy in respect of  (a) Albania,  (b) Macedonia,  (c) Turkey,  (d) Bosnia-Herzegovina,  (e) Kosovo,  (f) Croatia,  (g) Serbia and  (h) Montenegro; and which countries included in the enlargement strategy he expects to receive pre-accession funding.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 10 March 2009
	Full details can be found in the 2008 Progress Reports at
	http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/how-does-it-work/progress_reports/index_en.htm
	All countries included in the enlargement strategy receive funding through the European Commission's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). This is due to amount to €7.58 billion overall for the period 2007-11 to support political and economic reform and preparation for EU membership. A breakdown of IPA funding by country is available at the European Commission's Multi-Annual Indicative Financial Frameworks website
	http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/dont-miss/index_en.htm

Bosnia and Herzegovina: Office of the High Representative

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 27 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 34-36WS, on the General Affairs and External Relations Council, for what reasons the Council was unable to reach a conclusion on the proposed closure of the Office of the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and what proposals the UK made on the matter.

David Miliband: At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 23-24 February 2009, there was discussion of Bosnia and Herzegovina's progress towards meeting the conditions for closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). There was no consensus that the conditionality set by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board in February 2008 had been met. The UK reiterated the importance of adhering to this conditionality, making clear our view that it has not yet been met. Any eventual decision on closure of the OHR will need to be taken by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board.

Colombia: Armed Conflict

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the recent violence in north east Colombia.

Gillian Merron: The situation in North East Colombia, particularly in those rural areas bordering Venezuela, is complicated and difficult due to the activities of illegal armed groups.
	Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice for Colombia currently advises against all but essential travel to all rural areas bordering Venezuela, which includes North East Colombia.

Colombia: Land Mines

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Colombia on the use of landmines; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: The UK has provided training to Colombian officers on humanitarian landmine removal. Officials from our Embassy in Bogota maintain regular contact with the Colombian Ministry of Defence to help Colombia fulfil its Ottawa convention responsibilities, and remove the landmines that illegal armed groups continue to use to kill and maim innocent Colombians.

Colombia: Military Aid

Tony Lloyd: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what evidence he collects on the effectiveness of the human rights training delivered to the Colombian military by the UK.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 9 March 2009
	We monitor civil society, media and UN reports on the Colombian military's human rights performance. UK co-operation with the Colombian Ministry of Defence strongly influenced their new Integral Policy on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law, and reinforced their work with UN Agencies.
	While these new policies are to be welcomed, we are concerned by recent reports of abuses committed or allowed by members of the Colombian army. I issued a statement on the issue on 30 October 2008:
	"The Colombian government's decision to dismiss a number of army officers as a result of recent extra-judicial killings and cases of criminal conspiracy is important. It is vital, not least for Colombia's international reputation, that the government and courts continue to show a determination to deal with human rights abuses committed by members of the armed forces, and that those convicted by the civilian justice system are punished appropriately."

Colombia: Military Aid

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much has been spent on military aid to Colombia in each year since 1999.

Gillian Merron: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 358W.

Colombia: Military Aid

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what requirements are placed on Colombian military personnel to adhere to human rights standards before they receive UK training.

Gillian Merron: The UK requires that Colombian armed forces personnel who undertake UK training courses do not have any formal human rights convictions or pending investigations. The current policy of the Colombian armed forces is that personnel with a formal human rights allegation against their name are suspended and therefore ineligible to receive UK or any other international training.

Cyprus: USA

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on Cyprus.

Gillian Merron: While our Officials and Ministers maintain regular contact with their US counterparts on Cyprus, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not yet raised Cyprus with his US counterpart.

Democratic Republic of Congo: Politics and Government

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to hold the local and provincial elections that have been delayed since 2006.

Gillian Merron: The UK is the largest bilateral donor supporting election processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). We have committed substantial funding in support of preparations for the local elections, and capacity-building for the Independent Electoral Commission. We have encouraged our international partners to do the same. Our ambassador in Kinshasa is a member of the Elections Steering Committee in the DRC, which met on 24 February 2009. There are currently serious funding gaps for local elections, which the Committee has undertaken to examine in March 2009.

Departmental Compensation

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what scheme of compensation exists for his Department's officials injured in  (a) Iraq and  (b) Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme provides benefits to members (UK Civil Servants) who suffer injury, and to the families of those who die while on duty in the UK or overseas. These benefits are provided via two schemes, an injury benefits scheme and a personal injury compensation scheme.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) also makes ex-gratia payments to its staff, both UK Civil Servants and locally engaged staff, who suffer injury or death overseas in terrorist attacks as a result of their Crown service.
	In addition the FCO reimburses staff for the cost of additional premiums imposed by life insurers because of service in Iraq or Afghanistan.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the Answer of 5 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1409W, on departmental ministerial policy advisers. where Ravi Gurumurthy was seconded from; and on what date he became a special adviser.

Gillian Merron: Mr. Ravi Gurumurthy was seconded from the Department for Communities and Local Government on 28 June 2007, and is a strategic adviser and speech co-ordinator for my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary.

Departmental Public Expenditure

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1240W, on departmental public expenditure, what efficiency savings have been  (a) made in 2008-09 and  (b) identified for financial year 2009-10; and what the estimated saving from each is.

David Miliband: I refer the right hon. Member to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) 2008 autumn performance report published in December 2008, available online at:
	http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-the-fco/publications/publications/annual-reports/autumn-performance1
	This gives the actual efficiency savings, for each efficiency project, for the first six months of 2008-09 and forecast savings for 2009-10 and 2010-11.
	The FCO's departmental report, to be published in June 2009, will provide actual efficiency savings for the whole of 2008-09 and latest forecast savings for 2009-10 and 2010-11.

Embassies: Foreign Workers

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many locally-engaged staff his Department employs at each of its overseas posts; and if he will detail how many such staff at each post have been made redundant in the last 12 months.

David Miliband: Exact details on numbers of locally engaged staff at posts and redundancies are not currently held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Overseas Price Mechanism

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which  (a) commercial banks and  (b) independent financial experts his Department consulted on managing its exposure to foreign currency movements following the Treasury's withdrawal of support for the overseas price mechanism.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office consulted with commercial banks, the Standard Chartered Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland. We also had discussions with the Bank of England.
	We took, and continue to take, advice from independent financial experts HiFX Intelligent Financial Services.

United Nations

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how he plans to report to hon. Members the outcomes of  (a) the 53rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and  (b) the 42nd Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development.

Gillian Merron: holding answer 4 March 2009
	The main outcome document of the UN Commission on the Status of Women is the agreed conclusions on the equal sharing of responsibilities between women and men, including care giving in the context of HIV/AIDS. This will be disseminated across relevant Government departments. This and all other outcome documents are publicly available on the UN Commission on the Status of Women website at:
	http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/agreedconclusions.html
	The outcome document of the 42nd Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development will be disseminated to relevant Government departments. This document will be publicly available on the UN Commission on Population and Development website at:
	http://www.un.org/esa/population/cpd/cpd2009/comm2009.htm
	I will arrange for copies of the Outcome documents of the 53rd Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women and the 42nd Session of the UN Commission on Population and Development to be placed in the Library of the House.

USA: Foreign Relations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the objectives were of the recent visit to Washington by his Department's Senior Legal Adviser; and what meetings were held during the visit.

David Miliband: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office Legal Adviser visited the US on 9-10 February 2009 to pursue Government objectives related to the legal aspects of a number of foreign policy matters including in relation to the former Guantanamo Bay detainee, Mr. Binyam Mohamed. He met with officials from the Department of Justice, State Department, White House Counsel, Office of General Counsel, Central Intelligence Agency, the National Security Counsel and Department of Defence.

TREASURY

Business: Credit

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department  (a) has taken since June 2007 and  (b) plans to take in the next 12 months to improve the flow of credit to (i) small and (ii) medium-sized businesses; what discussions (A) he, (B) other Ministers in his Department and (C) departmental officials have had with the Confederation of British Industry about the issue; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: On 19 January, the Government announced measures designed to reinforce the stability of the financial system, to increase confidence and capacity to lend, and in turn to support the recovery of the economy. Further information is available at:
	http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/press_05_09.htm.
	These build on measures announced on 8 October last year.
	The Government intend to negotiate with the banks participating in certain facilities lending responsibility agreements that will have specific and quantified lending commitments and that will be binding and externally audited.
	The Government are taking specific action to meet the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises. On 14 January 2009, the Government announced a package of support to address the cash flow, credit and capital needs of smaller businesses. This package implements and builds upon the commitments the Government made in the 2008 Pre-Budget Report. Details are available at:
	http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/realhelp/finance.
	The Government meet with a wide range of stakeholders, including representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises. As announced in the 2008 Pre-Budget Report, the Government have established a new lending panel, which will improve monitoring of lending to households and businesses. The work of this panel is supported by the Small Business Finance Forum, established by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform in November of last year.
	The Government will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the stability of the financial system, ensure lending to the economy, businesses and homeowners, and limit the depth and duration of the current recession and support the subsequent recovery.

Child Tax Credit

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps he plans to take to improve the speed and efficiency of processing claims for new mothers applying for child tax credits.

Stephen Timms: For information on HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) processing aims, I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Steve Webb) on 24 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 534-36W.
	HMRC provides helpful guidance for prospective new claimants on its website at:
	www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/how-to-claim.htm
	Tax credits helpline advisers also provide callers with tailored advice to help them complete their claims correctly so that tax credits are paid as quickly as possible.

Departmental Rail Travel

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what guidance his Department issues on whether its members of staff may claim for travel in first class carriages on trains if there are no seats in standard class; and what the policy of HM Revenue and Customs is on the matter.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury's guidance to staff travelling on official business is that standard class should be used. However, first class travel may be used by staff at all levels where there is a business justification or when travelling at peak or other times when trains are likely to be crowded. In all such cases staff are required to provide an explanation for the use of first class travel when claims are made.
	HM Revenue and Customs' policy is that staff travelling by rail should use standard class. However staff at Grade 7 and above may travel first class if certain conditions apply. All staff may upgrade to first class on the day of travel if no standard class seats are available on the rail journey being taken.

Departmental Training

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his Department's policy is on holding departmental away days outside the Department's buildings; and what the policy of HM Revenue and Customs is on the matter.

Angela Eagle: The Treasury and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs have no central policy on the holding of away days. The Departments both have a responsibility to provide their staff with the right skills and expertise and use a variety of means to do so.

Equitable Life

Paul Burstow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the statement of 15 January 2009,  Official Report, columns 377-80, on Equitable Life, what his estimate is of the length of time it would take to make compensation payments as recommended by the Ombudsman; and what estimate he has made of the time it will take for all compensation in accordance with the Government proposals to be made.

Ian Pearson: The Government intend to set up an ex-gratia payment scheme that can pay out as swiftly as possible, taking account of the practical considerations involved. The Government will work on these practical issues in parallel with the work that they have asked Sir John Chadwick to undertake. Until the work is complete, it will not possible to make an estimate of how long it will take to make payments under the scheme. The Government will keep the House updated and report back on progress at regular intervals.

Excise Duties: Motor Vehicles

Greg Knight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will defer the changes to vehicle excise duty planned to be introduced in 2010 in order to assist the automotive sector.

Angela Eagle: The 2008 pre-Budget report announced both standard and first year rates of vehicle excise duty for 2010. Under the standard rates, no driver will pay more than £30 extra in any given band in 2010 compared with 2009 and many will see a reduction of £30.
	Under the new first year rates, cars emitting between 100 to 130 grams per kilometre of carbon dioxide will pay no vehicle excise duty in the first year of registration and cars emitting up to 165 grams per kilometre will pay no more than under the standard rate.

Overseas Price Mechanism

William Hague: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons were for his Department's decision to withdraw support for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's overseas pricing mechanism; and when the decision was made.

Yvette Cooper: The decision to abolish the Overseas Price Mechanism was taken in the autumn of 2007 as part of the broader agreement for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the 2007 comprehensive spending review. The OPM protected the FCO from currency fluctuations but it did not provide the Department with the incentive to factor in medium-term changes in currency costs when it allocated its resources. As part of the CSR07 agreement, the Treasury allowed the FCO to engage in forward currency markets to better manage short-term currency risk. This change brought the FCO into line with practice in other Government Departments.

Public Works Loan Board

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the weighted average for the  (a) maturity and  (b) duration of advances to local authorities from the Public Works Loans Board was in each month between 2000 and 2008.

Angela Eagle: The data are not collated monthly. The annual figures are as follows:
	
		
			  Years 
			  Year ending 31 March  (a) Average maturity  (b) Modified duration 
			 2000 n/a n/a 
			 2001 21.040 10.710 
			 2002 20.385 10.069 
			 2003 19.647 10.334 
			 2004 19.649 10.452 
			 2005 20.438 10.871 
			 2006 22.408 12.038 
			 2007 27.532 13.113 
			 2008 29.484 14.413

Public Works Loan Board

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average  (a) fixed and  (b) initial variable interest rate applied to advances to local authorities from the Public Works Loan Board was in each month between 2000 and 2008.

Angela Eagle: The data are not collated on a monthly basis. The annual figures are:
	
		
			  Year ending 31 March  (a) Fixed (percentage)  (b) Variable (percentage) 
			 2000 4.625 5.500 
			 2001 4.875 5.563 
			 2002 4.875 4.100 
			 2003 4.434 3.797 
			 2004 4.340 4.209 
			 2005 4.694 4.916 
			 2006 4.190 4.579 
			 2007 4.288 5.507 
			 2008 4.553 5.802

Public Works Loan Board

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much local authorities borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board at  (a) a fixed and  (b) a variable rate of interest in each month between 2000 and 2008.

Angela Eagle: Monthly data are available only at disproportionate cost. The annual figures are as follows:
	
		
			  £ million 
			  Year ending 31 March  (a) Fixed  (b) Variable 
			 2000 6,182.9 788.2 
			 2001 5,005.8 319.4 
			 2002 3,344.9 1,097.4 
			 2003 3,642.8 1,456.4 
			 2004 3,153.4 1,449.8 
			 2005 5,604.9 217.1 
			 2006 8,880.1 71.9 
			 2007 12,277.1 77.2 
			 2008 8,275.7 1.0

Public Works Loan Board

Greg Hands: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much debt owed to the Public Works Loan Board was redeemed early by local authorities in each month between 2000 and 2008.

Angela Eagle: Monthly data are available only at disproportionate cost. The annual figures are as follows:
	
		
			  Year ending 31 March  Early repayments (£ million) 
			 2000 2,950.0 
			 2001 2,063.4 
			 2002 2,123.6 
			 2003 4,166.0 
			 2004 4,596.9 
			 2005 3,080.7 
			 2006 2,501.4 
			 2007 10,698.5 
			 2008 6,433.6

DEFENCE

Apprentices

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the package of delivery designed by Metrix for the Defence Training Review project will offer apprenticeships to the  (a) standards and  (b) accreditation delivered by the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering; and what provision will be made in the package for apprenticeship training to an accredited standard.

Bob Ainsworth: As part of the requirement for the Defence Training Review (DTR) Package 1, Metrix will transform and modernise existing training, which will involve the re-accreditation of any transformed modules. This re-accreditation will be led by Nord Anglia, the Open university and City and Guilds, who are all respected and leading accreditation specialists. For the Defence College of Aeronautical Engineering, and all the technical training under Package 1, any existing accreditation will remain in place until a re-designed package is approved by the Ministry of Defence, which includes any proposals for changes to apprenticeship training.
	All Defence training (including accreditation implications) must adhere to a robust and established change process under the Defence systems approach to training to approve any change, and meet stringent defence and Government policy guidelines. The Department is recognised as an example of good practice with respect to apprenticeships and remains committed to maintaining this reputation.

Armed Forces: Manpower

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the current  (a) outflow and  (b) voluntary outflow (i) numbers and (ii) rates for each pinch point trade in the Armed Forces are.

Bob Ainsworth: As I set out in my answer of 15 May 2008,  Official Report, columns 1704-05W, and 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1521-26W, some of the information requested is not available; this position remains the case. I have provided as much information as possible for the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force although it is not possible to provide inflow rates for the Royal Navy pinch points due to the configuration of the pinch point trades on the joint personnel administration (JPA) system. The Army is currently not able to provide any data of this kind as the information held on JPA has not been validated.
	
		
			  Royal Navy 
			   Liability  Strength  Shortfall  Inflow  Outflow  VO 
			  Operational pinch point trades  Number  Number  Number  Percentage  Number  Number  Percentage 
			 Lt Cdr X SM Command Qualified (SM(CQ)) 47 45 2 5 n/a 3 0 
			 Lt X SM IWC Qualified and SQEP 40 39 1 3 n/a 16 7.5 
			 Principal Warfare Officers 359 289 70 20 n/a 38 4.0 
			 RN Harrier GR7 Instructors 7 3 4 57 n/a 1 0 
			 GR7 Harrier Pilots: Lt 35 21 14 40 n/a 0 4.0 
			 MCD/MWO Lts 81 47 34 43 n/a 7 3.8 
			 Strategic Weapons Systems Junior Ranks 110 86 24 22 n/a 22 5.0 
			 Merlin Pilots 122 78 44 36 n/a 7 2.5 
			 Merlin Observers 116 71 45 39 n/a 1 1.5 
			 Merlin Aircrewmen 103 80 23 22 n/a 10 14.6 
			 Leading Seaman General Warfare 1,105 815 290 26 n/a 106 8.3 
			 Able Rate Diver 135 95 40 30 n/a 12 10.0 
			 Lt X SM Advanced Warfare Course Qualified (SQEP) 34 30 4 12 n/a 16 4.0 
			 Able Rate 1 Seaman 388 291 97 25 n/a 74 16.0 
			 Able Rate 1 Warfare Specialist 666 635 31 5 n/a 173 13.0 
			 Able Rate 1 Communications and Information Systems 367 335 32 9 n/a 77 16.0 
			 Leading Aircraft Controllers 73 41 32 44 n/a 5 6.5 
			 Royal Marines Other Ranks (Pt—Cp1) 6,525 6,003 522 8 n/a 484 7.3 
			 Able Rate Warfare Specialist (Sensors Submariner) 178 144 34 17 n/a 30 6.0 
			 Sea-King and Lynx Avionics Supervisors 348 284 64 18 n/a 3 n/a 
			 Cat A2 Nuclear Watchkeepers 189 157 32 17 n/a 12 6.0 
			 Cat B Nuclear Watchkeepers 377 316 61 16 n/a 44 6.0 
			 L Logs(CS) (P) 328 261 67 25 n/a 27 2.0 
			 AB Logs (CS) (P) 456 447 9 2 n/a 48 6.0 
			 L Logs (Pers) 239 222 17 7 n/a 26 4.0 
			 AB Logs (Pers) 392 391 1 0 n/a 49 9.0 
			 LS (MW) 70 65 5 8 n/a 3 6.0 
			 Able Rate Warfare Specialist (Tactical Submariner) 124 116 8 7 n/a 13 7.0 
			  Notes: 1. Outflow is to January 2009. 2. Lt X SM IWC Qualified and SQEP and Lt X SM Advanced Warfare Course Qualified (SQEP) are the same group and are 16 in total but they are two separate OPPs. 3. SQEP means Suitably Qualified and Experience Personnel, i.e. have the skills to do a particular job and in case of SM if AWC are qualified to be a Watch Leader 
		
	
	
		
			  Army 
			   Liability  Strength  Shortfall  Inflow  Outflow  VO 
			   Number  Number  Number  Percentage  Number  Number  Number 
			  Operational pinch point trades
			 RE Clk of Wks: SSgt-WO1 248 237 11 4.4 n/a n/a n/a 
			 RLC Ammo Tech: Cp1-SSgt 306 176 130 42.5 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Infantry: Pte-LCp1 14,980 13,380 1,600 10.7 n/a n/a n/a 
			 REME Rec Mech: LCp1-Cp1 339 213 126 37.2 n/a n/a n/a 
			 RE EOD: Cp1-SSgt 131 109 22 16.7 n/a n/a n/a 
			 REME VM: Cfh-Cp1 3,521 3,224 297 8.4 n/a n/a n/a 
			 Int OPMI:Cp1-Sgt 708 476 232 32.8 n/a n/a n/a 
			 REME Armourer: Cfn-Cp1 377 305 74 19.6 n/a n/a n/a 
			 RA Gunner: Gnr-Bdr (including Para/Cdo Gnrs and OP Asst) 4,987 4,490 497 10.0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 
			  Manning pinch point trades
			 AMS Radiologist: Maj+ 4 2 2 50.0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS ITU Nurse: Cp1-Capt 121 35 86 71.1 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS EM Nurse: Cp1-Capt 101 38 63 62.4 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS Radiographer: Cp1+ 24 12 12 50.0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS Anaesthetist: Maj+ 49 23 26 53.1 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS Orth Surg: Maj+ 13 10 3 23.1 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS Gen Surg: Maj+ 17 10 7 41.2 n/a n/a n/a 
			 REME Geo: Spr-WO2 365 284 81 22.2 n/a n/a n/a 
			 RLC P&C Op: Pte-Cp1 433 435 -2 -0.5 n/a n/a n/a 
			 RA UAV Op: LBdr-SSgt 370 299 71 19.2 n/a n/a n/a 
			 REME Fitter: Spr-LCp1 495 409 86 17.4 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AGC(SPS) Mil Admin: Pte-Sgt 2,666 2,292 374 14.0 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS GMP: Capt+ 155 137 18 11.6 n/a n/a n/a 
			 R Signals IS Engr: Cp1-Sgt 252 124 128 50.8 n/a n/a n/a 
			 CAMUS: Musician 300 199 101 33.7 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS ODP: Cp1+ 95 81 14 14.7 n/a n/a n/a 
			 AMS RGN: Cp1-Sgt 293 263 30 10.2 n/a n/a n/a 
			 REME C3S: Spr-LCp1 712 611 101 14.2 n/a n/a n/a 
			 RLC Chef: Pte-LCp1 1,459 1,383 76 5.2 n/a n/a n/a 
		
	
	
		
			  Royal Air Force 
			   Liability  Strength  Shortfall  Inflow  Outflow  VO 
			   Number  Number  Number  Percentage  Number  Number  Number 
			  Operational pinch point trades
			 Flying Branch (Career Stream) (Senior Officer) 677 576 101 15 100 70 20 
			 Pilot (Junior Officer) 1,490 1,288 202 14 160 150 40 
			 Operations Support (Intelligence) 229 224 5 2 10 20 10 
			 Operations Support (Regiment) 275 235 40 14 30 20 10 
			 Operations Support (Flight Operations) 224 219 5 2 20 — — 
			 Medical 282 213 69 24 — 10 — 
			 Medical Nursing Officer 179 128 51 28 10 20 10 
			 Weapons System (Operator (Crewman) 577 503 74 13 70 30 10 
			 Weapons System Operator (Linguist) 63 50 13 21 10 10 — 
			 Mechanical Transport Technician 355 342 13 4 — 30 20 
			 Gunner 1,924 1,702 222 11 330 190 110 
			 Fire Fighter 545 518 27 5 110 60 20 
			 Air Traffic Control/Flight Operations Manager/Flight Operations Assistant 1,246 1,228 18 1 110 80 40 
			 Logistics (Mover) 895 849 46 5 50 70 50 
			 
			  Manning pinch point trades
			 Weapons System Officer (Junior Officer) 513 439 74 14 10 30 10 
			 Operations Support (Aerospace Battle Manager) 342 293 49 14 10 20 10 
			 Operations Support (Air Traffic Control) 397 371 26 6 20 30 10 
			 Personnel (Support) 521 494 27 5 50 40 20 
			 Personnel (Training) 219 198 21 10 10 20 10 
			 Dental 71 57 14 20 — 10 — 
			 Chaplains 78 63 15 19 — 10 — 
			 Aircraft Technician (Mechanical) 4,965 4,299 666 13 10 290 200 
			 Aircraft Technician (Avionics) 3,942 3,437 505 13 10 260 180 
			 General Technician (Electrical) 551 491 60 11 20 70 40 
			 General Technician (Mechanical) 963 436 527 75 20 30 20 
			 Intelligence (Analyst) 679 590 89 13 40 30 20 
			 Survival Equipment Fitter 607 562 45 7 30 80 40 
			 Biomedical Scientist 15 9 6 40 0 — — 
			 Dental Nurse 131 122 9 7 20 10 10 
			 Musician 175 152 23 13 10 10 — 
			  Notes 1. Inflow equals all inflow, trained or untrained, to pinch point trades during the 12-month period 1 November 2007 to 30 November 2008. When the pinch point applies to a specific rank (Senior Officer/Junior Officer) promotions and demotions have been included. 2. Outflow equals all trained outflow from pinch point trades during the 12-month period 1 November 2007 to 30 November 2008. When the pinch point applies to a specific rank (Senior Officer/Junior Officer) promotions and demotions have been included. 3. WSO includes Navigators, Crewman, Electronic Warfare/Acoustic, Linguist and Air Eng. 4. Due to the small populations generated by this level of detail, and the possibility of identifying individual personnel, data have been rounded to 10 and totals may not always equal the sum of the parts. When rounding to the nearest 10, numbers ending in 5 have been rounded to the nearest multiple of 20 to prevent systematic bias. "0" represents zero occurrences and "—" shows rounded to zero. 5. Due to the introduction of the new pay administration system these data are provisional and subject to review.

Armed Forces: Parades

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will bring forward proposals to increase the number of military tattoos held each year; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Military tattoos take place in a number of towns and cities across the UK and are generally organised on a commercial basis, although most are set up and run for charitable purposes.
	The major tattoos that the services plan to support this year (as in previous years) include the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo and the Royal International Air Tattoo (held at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire). Units from the army supported the first Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo last year and it is planned to widen participation this year to include elements from the RN and RAF as well. Other tattoos, such as Birmingham, Aldershot and Durham, have also been supported by military assets in recent years and it is understood that the City of Cardiff are seeking to introduce a Cardiff tattoo in the coming years.

Armed Forces: Training

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of the Defence Training Review package he expects to be delivered outside the future Defence Academy at RAF St Athan.

Bob Ainsworth: All of the training in the scope of the Defence Training Review Package 1 will, by 2020, be delivered at St. Athan, with the exception of Royal Naval Communications training at HMS Collingwood which amounts to 2 per cent. of the total training requirement. In addition, about 30 per cent. of phase 3 (professional) training will be delivered away from St. Athan at remote learning centres around the UK to enable personnel to stay near home bases and families.

Departmental Absenteeism

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff of his Department were recorded absent for non-medical reasons on  (a) 2 February 2009 and  (b) 3 February 2009; what estimate he has made of the (i) cost to his Department and (ii) number of working hours lost due to such absence; and what guidance his Department issued to staff in respect of absence on these days.

Kevan Jones: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Data Protection

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts  (a) his Department and  (b) its agencies have which allow contractors to store personal data of UK citizens overseas; for which contracts this applies; in which countries the data for each contract are held; and how many people have their data stored overseas in the case of each such contract.

Bob Ainsworth: The Ministry of Defence has identified eight contracts where personal data of UK citizens are held overseas. The following table provides the name of the contract, the country where the data are held and the approximate number of records.
	
		
			  Name of contract  Where the data are held  Approximate number of personal records held 
			 Defence Travel: Electronic Booking Interface Service Contract France 160,500 
			  USA 15,000 
			
			 Defence Travel: Travel Management Contract USA 310,000 
			
			 Royal Navy Community Website USA 9,000 
			
			 E-bluey: a hybrid mail service for BFPO which allows service personnel, relatives and friends to maintain contact with each other while serving on operations or exercise for more than 60 days duration USA (1)150,000 
			
			 External Band D Assessment Centre (CMS) Australia 4,600 
			
			 RAF Fitlinxx: provides fitness training programmes for personnel and records workout sessions USA 8,060 
			
			 DE&S Movement Management Air Reservation System Germany 19,500 
			
			 DE&S Departure Control System Germany 4,000 
			 (1) Including live accounts and e-blueys. This number fluctuates on a daily basis as accounts are added and deleted.

Met Office

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with Treasury officials on the future of the Met Office as part of the Government's Trading Fund Review; and if he will make a statement.

Kevan Jones: Officials from the Ministry of Defence and Treasury were represented on the Trading Funds Assessment Steering Group. As announced in the pre-Budget report the Met Office is now being examined as part of the Government's Operational Efficiency Programme and officials from both Departments are meeting regularly to take this forward.

Naval Bases [Official Report, 20 April 2009, Vol. 491, c. 1-2MC.]

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the monetary value of the surface ship refitting contracts was at HM Naval Base Portsmouth in each year since 1997;
	(2)  what the monetary value of surface ship refitting contracts was at HM Naval Base Plymouth Devonport in each year since 1997;
	(3)  what the monetary value of surface ship refitting contracts was at HM Naval Base Rosyth in each year since 1997.

Quentin Davies: There is no requirement to keep contractual information for surface ship upkeep work (refits and docking periods) beyond seven years. The values of contracts completed prior to 2001 are, therefore, no longer held. The following table provides the costs for upkeep work carried out since 2001 on Aircraft Carriers, Type 42 Destroyers, Type 22 and 23 Frigates, Landing Platform Dock, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and Mine Countermeasure vessels:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Location 
			   Portsmouth  Devonport  Rosyth 
			 2001 8.9 10.3 126.2 
			 2002 6.0 37.1 46.0 
			 2003 23.9 5.6 35.9 
			 2004 56.6 6.6 158.7 
			 2005 11.5 0.0 56.3 
			 2006 8.7 17.5 25.1 
			 2007 27.8 37.0 21.0 
			 2008 24.0 26.0 41.1 
		
	
	The figures shown for years 2001 and 2004 include upkeep work packages for the aircraft carriers HM Ships Invincible and Illustrious.

Naval Bases [Official Report, 20 April 2009, Vol. 491, c. 1-2MC.]

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what recent assessment he has made of the  (a) capacity and  (b) capabilities of (i) HM Naval Base Plymouth Devonport and (ii) HM Naval Base Faslane in respect of submarines;
	(2)  what recent assessment he has made of the  (a) capacity and  (b) capabilities of (i) HM Naval Base Plymouth Devonport and (ii) HM Naval Base Portsmouth in respect of surface ships.

Bob Ainsworth: The capacity and capability of all three UK naval bases (Clyde, Devonport and Portsmouth) are regularly assessed to ensure that they individually and collectively meet the requirements of the Royal Navy. The most recent assessment was carried out as part of the Naval Base Review (NBR), which concluded in July 2007 that all three naval bases should be retained but optimised. This optimisation work has begun at each naval base and forms an integral part of the Maritime Change Programme (MCP). MCP is developing an enduring maritime enterprise, commensurate with the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS), that delivers affordable, sustainable and efficient Maritime build, equipment and through life support to meet the operational needs of the Royal Navy today and in the future.

Navy: Contracts

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the monetary value of surface ship refitting contracts which will be awarded to UK naval bases in the next three years.

Quentin Davies: The MOD's regular planning round is currently in progress. Until this work has been completed, it is not possible to provide a cost estimate for future Royal Navy surface ship upkeeps.

Programme Belvedere

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what standard of accommodation is being planned for Joint Helicopter Command under Project Belvedere; what criteria are being used to make the decision; and what the cost would be of upgrading RAF Lyneham to  (a) Royal Air Force,  (b) Royal Navy and  (c) Army accommodation standards;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the cost to date of Programme Belvedere;
	(3)  what the reasons are for the time taken to announce the outcome of Programme Belvedere;
	(4)  what criteria will be used in selecting an airfield for Joint Helicopter Command under Programme Belvedere;
	(5)  who in his Department has lead responsibility for Programme Belvedere;
	(6)  who in his Department is responsible for ensuring that Programme Belvedere adheres to its timetable;
	(7)  how long he expects production of the environmental impact assessment on the airfield to be selected for Joint Helicopter Command under Programme Belvedere to take;
	(8)  how long he expects the process of costing the outcome selected by Programme Belvedere to take.

Bob Ainsworth: The Belvedere Programme is considering future basing options for the Joint Helicopter Command.
	Under the strategic direction of the Defence Operating Board and a three Star military officer (the Senior Responsible Owner), the Belvedere Team Leader has day to day responsibility for the programme timetable.
	The range of variables and programme uncertainties has been more complex than originally envisaged, and has inevitably had an impact on the time taken to undertake the work. The criteria against which judgments are made, for both individual airfields and combinations of airfields, include:
	operating issues including aircraft numbers, command and control and flying hours; environmental issues including noise,
	availability and standard of domestic and technical accommodation;
	accessibility for aircraft and vehicle types; aircraft capacity of the airfield;
	opportunities for efficiencies and rationalisation;
	airfield location—low flying areas, training areas and local communities;
	future requirements; and,
	affordability and value for money.
	The costs of Belvedere since it was reconstituted in June 2007 have been a little under £2 million. In addition, around £2 million has been spent on essential maintenance works at RAF Lyneham to ensure that its existing infrastructure can remain viable if Belvedere concludes that the station should be retained.
	No decisions have been taken on the number of bases required, nor therefore, of any accommodation requirements at RAF Lyneham. Any new accommodation would be provided to common joint-Service standards.
	Baseline noise and environmental impact assessments have been made for each of the sites being considered by Programme Belvedere. A full environmental assessment following selection of a particular option would take 11-12 months. The programme would then be delivered through a series of individual projects. Future costs would depend upon the option chosen.
	The future of the Belvedere Programme is currently under consideration at senior levels within the Department.

Royal Regiment of Scotland: Manpower

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the  (a) trained,  (b) actual strength and  (c) numbers fit for duty requirement is for each (i) regular and (ii) territorial infantry battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

Bob Ainsworth: Fit for duty has been interpreted as medically fit to perform any duty. Personnel unfit for duty in their primary role but who can perform a role in an alternative capacity are therefore included in the following tables.
	As at 1 December 2008, the figures for Royal Regiment of Scotland regular battalions were:
	
		
			  Battalion  Trained strength  Actual strength  Fit for duty 
			 1 Scots 627 554 552 
			 2 Scots 574 476 472 
			 3 Scots 629 575 573 
			 4 Scots 762 588 560 
			 5 Scots 654 561 548 
		
	
	As at 1 January 2009, the figures for Royal Regiment of Scotland Territorial Army battalions were:
	
		
			  Battalion  Trained strength  Actual strength  Fit for duty 
			 6 Scots 430 270 n/a 
			 7 Scots 530 390 n/a 
		
	
	Data concerning fit for duty personnel are not collected for the Territorial Army and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Shareholder Executive

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions his Department has had with the Shareholder Executive as part of the Government's Trading Fund Review; and if he will make a statement.

Bob Ainsworth: Officials from the Ministry of Defence worked very closely with the Shareholder Executive on the Trading Funds Assessment.
	Ministry of Defence officials with responsibility for the Department's Trading Funds were represented on the Trading Funds Assessment Steering Group. There were discussions on the Assessment between officials and Shareholder Executive officials and MOD Ministers.

Trading Funds

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consultation his Department has conducted with external organisations as part of the review of Government Trading Funds.

Bob Ainsworth: Ministry of Defence officials with responsibility for the Department's Trading Funds were represented on the Trading Funds Assessment Steering Group alongside officials from other Trading Fund owner Departments, HM Treasury, the Office of Fair Trading and the Office of Public Sector Information.

Written Questions: Government Responses

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to answer Question 245342, tabled on 15 December 2008, on personal data stored overseas.

Bob Ainsworth: I replied to the hon. Member today.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture: Subsidies

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many applications for export refunds within the Common Agricultural Policy there have been for  (a) pigmeat,  (b) milk and milk products,  (c) poultry,  (d) beef and veal and  (e) eggs under the EC regulation currently in force in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 9 March 2009
	Commission Regulation 800/1999, which came into force on 15 April 1999, currently governs export refunds within the common agricultural policy. Since this date, the following number of applications for export refund have been made in the UK.
	
		
			  Sector  Refund applications 
			 Pigmeat 4,174 
			 Eggs 1,895 
			 Poultry 7,619 
			 Beef and Veal 11 
			 Milk and Milk products 76,782

Animal Welfare

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government has taken to ensure the welfare of farm animals in the last 12 months.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 10 March 2009
	The welfare of all farmed animals is protected by the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any animal. The Act also contains a Duty of Care to animals—this means that anyone responsible for an animal must take reasonable steps to make sure the animal's needs are met. The Act is backed up by detailed regulations for farmed animals and species-specific welfare codes.
	Animal Health carries out welfare inspections on farms to check that legislation and the welfare codes are being followed. In addition to spot checks and planned visits, Animal Health follows up all complaints and allegations of poor welfare on specific farms as a matter of urgency. In 2008, Animal Health carried out a total of 10,159 animal welfare inspections on farms.

Beekeeping

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effects of recreational bee keepers and their practices on the bee population.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 9 March 2009
	Recreational beekeepers, who form a substantial majority of beekeepers in the UK, play an important role in helping to combat the decline in the honey bee population, both in terms of ensuring that they practice good husbandry to maintain and increase bee numbers, and through recognising the risks of spreading pests and diseases to other beekeepers if they fail to take action. The recent National Audit Office report highlighted the large numbers of recreational beekeepers who are unknown to the authorities and so who could be unaware of the risks of spread of pests and disease. An additional £2.3 million funding was announced by the Secretary of State in January to support implementation of the initial phase of a 10 year plan to protect and improve the health of honey bees. This involves new work aimed at gaining a more accurate picture of the numbers and distribution of beekeepers and the status of the health of their colonies and increasing significantly the proportion of beekeepers registered on the National Bee Unit's Beebase database in England.

Bees: Disease Control

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his international counterparts on bee health.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 9 March 2009
	There have been no discussions in recent years at a ministerial level on the problems affecting bee health. At official level DEFRA is working closely with other EU member states and has been in regular contact with our United States counterparts about colony collapse disorder. Members of the National Bee Unit are involved in an EU Consortium of Bee Researchers, COLOSS, which has been established to facilitate the exchange of information about abnormal colony losses and a project funded by the European Food Standards Agency which is collecting data from bee surveillance programmes currently run by EU member states.

Bees: Disease Control

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when he expects the details of the new bee health research programme to consider the wider problems facing pollinators to be finalised; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 9 March 2009
	Negotiations with other potential funders are still continuing but we hope to conclude these in the next few weeks. Details of the programme will be published on the DEFRA website once these have been finalised.

Bees: Disease Control

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment his Department has made of the effect of the international trade in honeybees on the spread of pests and diseases in the UK bee population.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 9 March 2009
	International trade in honeybees poses a risk of movements of pests and diseases. Consequently, imports are only allowed from a limited list of non-EC countries. Imports of honeybees into the UK are controlled by EC legislation which includes a requirement for each consignment to be accompanied by a health certificate issued by the relevant authorities in the exporting country. Imports from countries outside the Community are also subject to post import controls aimed at reducing the risk of introduction and spread of exotic bee pests, in particular, the small hive beetle and tropilaelaps mites, both of which are notifiable.

Bees: Disease Control

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff of the National Bee Unit were responsible for research into bee health in each of the last 10 years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The information is not available in the form requested. Depending on the project, bee health research can involve any of the staff in the National Bee Unit, the bee inspectors and a range of researchers from various other disciplines within the Central Science Laboratory.

Bees: Disease Control

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many seasonal bee inspectors were employed by the National Bee Unit in each of the last 10 years.

Jane Kennedy: h olding answer 9 March 2009
	The number of seasonal bee inspectors employed by the National Bee Unit in each year since 1998 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Seasonal bee inspectors employed by the National Bee Unit 
			   Number 
			 1998 34 
			 1999 38 
			 2000 39 
			 2001 39 
			 2002 38 
			 2003 39 
			 2004 36 
			 2005 36 
			 2006 36 
			 2007 36 
			 2008 36

Departmental Data Protection

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many members of staff in his Department have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended and  (c) dismissed for losing (i) memory sticks, (ii) laptop computers, (iii) desktop computers and (iv) mobile telephones belonging to his Department in each year since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: No DEFRA employees have been  (a) investigated,  (b) suspended, or  (c) dismissed for losing (i) memory sticks, (ii) laptop computers, (iii) desktop computers, and (iv) mobile telephones belonging to the Department.

Departmental Disciplinary Proceedings

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff in his Department were disciplined for  (a) bullying and  (b) harassment of colleagues in each of the last three years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Seven employees have been disciplined for bullying and harassment in the last three years. One employee was disciplined in 2007, five employees were disciplined in 2008, and one employee has been disciplined in 2009.
	DEFRA'S procedures do not differentiate between bullying and harassment so I am unable to provide a further breakdown.

Departmental Postal Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of letters sent by his Department were given to  (a) the Royal Mail and  (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Huw Irranca-Davies: From information held centrally, the core-Department has not used any postal service provider other than Royal Mail in the last 12 months. For the period 1 February 2008 to 28 February 2009 inclusive, the core-Department gave the Royal Mail 2,037,695 letters.

Domestic Waste: Waste Disposal

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether a local authority which has adopted an alternate weekly collection of household waste will be deemed to have successfully implemented a waste management and strategy and initiative for the purposes of scoring a potential bid to become a pilot.

Jane Kennedy: DEFRA has no plans to run weekly collection pilots.

Food Supply: Research

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what funding his Department has allocated for each category of research into improving the UK's food security in each of the last four years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 23 February 2009
	Between 2005-09, DEFRA has invested in research activities associated with UK food security. Industry have joint funded some of the work within the LINK programme. The LINK Programme is a co-ordinated research and innovation framework programme funded in equal share (50:50) by DEFRA and industry. Its aim is to develop near-market products and practices, for subsequent progression to the market place under full industry funding.
	Total spend for each of the last four years is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  £ million 
			   Programme 
			   Sustainable farming and food  Animal health and welfare 
			 2005-06 38.0 40.0 
			 2006-07 34.0 41.0 
			 2007-08 29.0 39.0 
			 2008-09 28.0 36.4 
			 (1) These figures are taken from the DEFRA Science Information System database.

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will make an assessment of the registers held by the Environment Agency of reports on incinerator bottom ash for the purposes of determining whether its composition exceeds permitted levels for harmful substances.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 12 February 2009
	 Monitoring data on certain heavy metals, loss on ignition (the change in weight recorded when the ash is heated to a high temperature) and the total organic carbon in incinerator bottom ash is provided by the incinerator operators. This is placed upon the Environment Agency public registers. These data are checked by the Environment Agency upon receipt. Limits are set on loss on ignition/total organic carbon to ensure that the incinerator is operating efficiently. No breaches of these limits have been reported hence no enforcement action has been taken. Limits are not set on the heavy metal content of the ash as a permit condition. The operator is expected to carry out more detailed analysis before the ash can be disposed of.

Incinerators: Health Hazards

Andrew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if he will consult  (a) stakeholders,  (b) experts and  (c) other bodies on procedures for H14 ecotoxicity testing of incinerator bottom ash.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 12 February 2009
	 Incinerator bottom ash is not tested directly for ecotoxicity as this would involve unnecessary expense and unwarranted animal testing. Instead, chemical analysis is undertaken using standard methods and the ash is assessed for ecotoxicity by reference to the criteria for levels of dangerous substances given in the Environment Agency's Technical Guidance WM2 "Hazardous waste: interpretation of the definition and classification of hazardous waste, 2nd edition, version 2.2". The Environment Agency has been working with the Environmental Services Association to ensure that the procedures used to assess incinerator bottom ash are both robust and technically appropriate.

Insulation: Hazardous Substances

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much plastic foam insulation containing ozone depleting substances has been treated with approved methods of gas recovery in the last 12 months.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Ozone depleting substances are recovered from insulation foams in refrigerators, freezers and other equipment in specialist facilities. A small amount of insulation foam arising as construction waste is also treated in some of these plants but the quantity is unknown.
	Annual reports on the tonnages of all ozone depleting substances recovered in the UK, including refrigerant fluids and halons from fire extinguishers, are provided to the EU but the Environment Agency does not hold information on the amounts derived from individual sources. Data are not yet available for 2008.

Insulation: Hazardous Substances

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many  (a) enforcement notices have been issued and  (b) prosecutions have been brought in respect of improper disposal of plastic foam insulation containing ozone depleting substances in each of the last three years.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The National Enforcement Database is the main recording system for data on enforcement actions carried out by the Environment Agency. The database does not provide specific information regarding offences relating to the disposal of plastic foam insulation.
	The Environment Agency takes enforcement action where necessary against people who have operated illegal transfer stations, unlicensed landfills for construction/demolition waste and those who have fly-tipped this type of waste.

Landfill Tax

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what proportion and amount of revenue raised from landfill tax has been returned to local authorities in each of the last five years;
	(2)  whether it is Government policy that increases in landfill tax rates will be revenue-neutral for local authorities;
	(3)  if he will bring forward proposals to adjust local authority funding in line with changes to the rate of landfill tax in order to fund extensions to recycling services;
	(4)  what percentage of revenue raised through the landfill tax was reallocated directly to local authorities in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer s 3 March and 6 March 2009
	The Government worked closely with local government in CSR07 to identify the overall pressure on waste management services, including the increase in landfill tax, along with the extent to which those pressures can be mitigated. Over the CSR07 period, the overall Government grant will increase by £8.9 billion which takes into account local government's landfill tax liability, including the increased costs resulting from the rise in the standard rate escalator from 2008-09, and allows local authorities to deliver effective services including in the area of waste management.
	DEFRA is also supporting local authorities to develop alternatives to landfill through the Private Finance Initiative (PFI). To date £2.02 billion PFI Credits have been committed to 33 projects which will divert waste from landfill. There are a further 11 projects in the application process, for the remaining £1.18 billion PFI Credits currently available.
	In addition the Waste Infrastructure Capital Grant provides direct funding to help local authorities put in place the front-end infrastructure needed to help them meet their landfill diversion targets.

Milk: Imports

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much liquid milk was imported into the UK in  (a) 1997,  (b) 2000 and  (c) 2008.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 6 March 2009
	Liquid milk imports are shown in the following table. Liquid milk is imported into the UK in two forms, as raw milk for processing by dairies in the UK, or as liquid drinking milk (e.g. pasteurised or UHT milk).
	Most imports of raw milk come from the Republic of Ireland for processing by dairies in Northern Ireland.
	
		
			  Imports of liquid milk to the UK 
			  million litres 
			   Raw milk for processing  Liquid drinking milk 
			 1997 128 150 
			 2000 97 122 
			 2008 30 100 
			  Source: DARDNI, HMRC

National Parks: South Downs

David Lepper: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many postcards supporting the designation of the South Downs as a National Park have been received by his Department since December 2008.

Huw Irranca-Davies: DEFRA has received around 17,500 postcards supporting the proposed South Downs National Park since 1 December 2008.

Pollution: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many successful prosecutions have been undertaken by the Environment Agency concerning pollution in  (a) Hertfordshire and  (b) Dacorum in each year since 6 February 2002.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table indicates the number of successful prosecutions undertaken by the Environment Agency concerning pollution incidents in Hertfordshire.
	This information was taken from the National Enforcement Database which is the main recording system for data on enforcement actions carried out by the Environment Agency. The database does not provide information regarding offences in individual boroughs.
	
		
			   Successful prosecutions 
			 2002(1) 11 
			 2003 9 
			 2004 16 
			 2005 4 
			 2006 5 
			 2007 30 
			 2008 9 
			 2009(2) 2 
			 (1 )From 6 February. (2) To date.

Pollution: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints have been received by the Environment Agency concerning pollution in  (a) Hertfordshire and  (b) Dacorum in each year since 6 February 2002.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table shows the number of complaints received by the Environment Agency concerning pollution incidents in Hertfordshire and Dacorum.
	
		
			   Incidents Hertfordshire  Dacorum  Complaints 
			 2002(1) 471 35 534 
			 2003 304 57 561 
			 2004 432 39 516 
			 2005 240 36 682 
			 2006 390 46 472 
			 2007 367 28 589 
			 2008 365 29 488 
			 2009 39 0 54 
			 (1) From 6 February. 
		
	
	The Environment Agency may receive multiple complaints about one incident.
	Records of complaints received by the Environment Agency which prove to unjustified are only retained for two years.

Recycling

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what progress his Department has made on the development of a voluntary code to encourage the positioning of accessible recycling bins in public areas.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 6 March 2009
	DEFRA launched 'Recycle on the Go' on 2 June 2008 which aims to put accessible recycling bins in public places. A good practice guide and a voluntary code of practice is available to help those responsible for public places to make recycling easy and accessible and includes guidance on providing recycling opportunities along with provisions for the correct disposal of non-recyclable waste.
	The materials, which were developed in collaboration with the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) and ENCAMS, are available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://defraweb/environment/waste/recycleonthego/index.htm
	WRAP's Recycle Now campaign has published guidelines for local authorities on how to make good use of the signage for recycle bins, including up-to-date brand guidelines for 'Recycle on the Go'. This, as well as artwork for bins and campaigning, can be downloaded from the Recycle Now website at:
	http://www.recyclenowpartners.org.uk/local_authorities/download_area/recycle_on_the_go/index.rma

Recycling

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which local authorities carry out on-street recycling.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 6 March 2009
	Neither DEFRA nor the Waste and Resources Action Programme hold the information requested.

Recycling: Hampshire

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what reports his Department has received of allegations that Hampshire County Council is sending electronic waste for recycling to African countries; and if he will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 4 March 2009
	DEFRA officials have received briefings from the Environment Agency about reports of exports of waste electrical and electronic equipment from various sources to African countries. The Environment Agency is undertaking further investigations into alleged breaches of the waste shipment controls. It is not appropriate to comment on any specific investigations while they are ongoing.
	The illegal export of waste is completely unacceptable and that is why DEFRA has provided funding to the Environment Agency to step up its enforcement efforts to deter this activity and catch those responsible. The rules are clear—the export of scrap TVs or scrap computer monitors to Africa is illegal. Such activity is not only potentially harmful to the environment but it also undermines the good work of legitimate charities which provide working electrical equipment to communities in developing countries.

Trade Unions

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which trade unions are recognised in his Department.

Huw Irranca-Davies: Trade unions recognised within the Department are PCS, Prospect and the FDA.

Water: Meters

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many water meters were installed in houses  (a) in England and  (b) in Hemel Hempstead constituency in each year since 1997.

Huw Irranca-Davies: The following table sets out the number of water meters that have been installed in houses in England and Wales since 1997. Ofwat, the economic regulator of the water and sewerage industry, does not hold data on how many meters are installed in individual constituencies.
	Three Valleys Water figures are included as this company provides a water service to the constituency of Hemel Hempstead.
	Because of water company supply boundaries it is not possible to separate out the number of meters installed in England alone.
	
		
			  Household meters installed in England and Wales and Three Valleys Water between 1997 and 2008 
			   Total in England and Wales  Three Valleys Water 
			 1997-98 559,156 15,183 
			 1998-99 486,043 27,291 
			 1999-2000 352,997 16,305 
			 2000-01 233,487 11,033 
			 2001-02 241,108 10,111 
			 2002-03 236,361 16,555 
			 2003-04 295,053 27,231 
			 2004-05 261,982 21,163 
			 2005-06 325,756 38,965

Western Sahara: Fisheries

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what advice his Department issues to the fishing fleet on fishing in waters off  (a) Western Sahara and  (b) Morocco.

Huw Irranca-Davies: UK vessels that fish in the waters off Western Sahara and Morocco do so under the provisions of the EU/Morocco Fisheries Partnership Agreement. DEFRA advises that they should ensure compliance with the agreement at all times while fishing in these waters.

OLYMPICS

Departmental Postal Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Minister for the Olympics how many and what percentage of letters sent by her Office were given to  (a) the Royal Mail and  (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport does not record the number of mail items sent by individual Ministers or their offices. 100 per cent. of mail items sent by the Department are given to the Royal Mail.

SCOTLAND

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much has been claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in his Department in 2008-09 to date.

Ann McKechin: Costs incurred on reimbursable expenses in 2008-09, will be available only when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2009 summer recess.

WALES

Devolution

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the constitutional settlement on devolution for the interests of Wales.

Wayne David: The Government's position on the devolution settlement for Wales is clearly set out in the 2006 Government of Wales Act. The Act has delivered on clearer responsibilities, fairer Assembly elections, simplified legislative process and enhanced powers in agreed matters. The powers conferred on the National Assembly and the Welsh Assembly Government are working well.

Welsh Economy

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government on the state of the Welsh economy.

Paul Murphy: I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government on the state of the Welsh economy, through my membership of the National Economic Council and my attendance at the all-Wales economic summits.

Welsh Economy

Hywel Francis: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had on the situation of businesses in Wales in the current economic climate.

Paul Murphy: Working in close partnership, the UK Government and the Welsh Assembly Government are doing all we can to help Welsh businesses and households through these challenging times.

Prisons: Drugs

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to discuss the matter of drugs in prisons in Wales with ministerial colleagues and the Welsh Assembly Government.

Wayne David: My right hon. Friend and I have regular discussions with ministerial colleagues and Welsh Ministers on a range of issues affecting Wales including prisons.
	Since 1997, we have increased investment in drug treatment in prisons tenfold and greatly strengthened enforcement. As a result of this, results in mandatory random drug tests have improved from over 20 per cent. testing positive 10 years ago to 9 per cent. now.

Digital Inclusion

Adam Holloway: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress has been made on the Government's plans for digital inclusion.

Wayne David: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State launched 'Delivering Digital Inclusion: an Action Plan for Consultation' in October 2008, setting out over 70 actions taking place across Government to tackle digital inclusion.
	The consultation has now finished and the responses are currently being analysed to inform further progress. My right hon. Friend will be making an announcement in the spring on the outcome of the consultation and the appointment of a digital inclusion champion and taskforce.

Flooding: Severn Plain

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Minister on cross-border flooding on the Severn plain between Caersws and Shrewsbury.

Wayne David: My right hon. Friend has regular bi-lateral meetings with the First Minister on a range of issues including environmental matters.
	The Assembly Government takes flooding in Wales very seriously. It has more than doubled funding since 1999 with 5.8 million per year for local authorities and over 12 million for the Environment Agency Wales for capital improvement projects.
	The Assembly Government also secured an additional 30 million from convergence funding to invest in flood and coastal erosion risk measures across Wales, 8 million for flood risk management activities and 575,000 available to the Environment Agency Wales between 2009 and 2011 to take forward a number of initiatives.

Welsh Language

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales when he next plans to meet members of the Welsh Assembly to discuss the promotion of the Welsh language in Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Wayne David: I have regular meetings with Welsh Assembly Government colleagues to discuss matters relating to Wales including the promotion of the Welsh language.
	Hon. Members will be aware that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State laid the proposed Welsh Language Legislative Competence Order in Parliament on 9 February for pre-legislative scrutiny. The proposed LCO, when made, will enable the National Assembly to legislate in order to deliver the Welsh Assembly Government's commitments in respect of the language.

Christmas

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether it is his Department's policy to offer staff  (a) additional leave entitlement for Christmas shopping and  (b) Christmas bonus payments.

Paul Murphy: The Wales Office has no policy entitling staff to either  (a) additional leave for Christmas shopping or  (b) Christmas bonus payments.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisers

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how much has been claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in his office in 2008-09 to date.

Paul Murphy: Costs incurred on reimbursable expenses in 2008-09, will be available only when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2009 summer recess.

TRANSPORT

A15

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received any proposals to dual the A15 in the last 12 months.

Paul Clark: holding answer 10 March 2009
	 The Department for Transport has not received any proposals to dual the A15 in the last 12 months.

BAA

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 28 January 2009,  Official Report, column 532W, on Heathrow Airport, on what dates  (a) Ministers and  (b) departmental officials met BAA representatives to discuss proposals for Heathrow Airport expansion in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Since January 2006, Ministers have met regularly with BAA to discuss general aviation issues. These meetings covered a wide range of topics, which may have included the expansion of Heathrow.
	
		
			  Date  (week commencing)  Minister 
			 6 March 2006 Alistair Darling 
			 22 May 2006 Douglas Alexander 
			 29 January 2007 Douglas Alexander 
			 5 March 2007 Douglas Alexander 
			 14 May 2007 Douglas Alexander 
			 18 June 2007 Douglas Alexander 
			 10 September 2007 Jim Fitzpatrick 
			 7 April 2008 Ruth Kelly 
			 28 April 2008 Ruth Kelly 
			 21 July 2008 Ruth Kelly 
			 1 September 2008 Ruth Kelly 
		
	
	In addition to these meetings, there were other occasions on which Ministers met with BAA to discuss issues such as airport security or surface access; or to discuss airports other than Heathrow.
	Due to IT changes, officials' diaries are not available before April 2008, or July 2008 in some cases. Meetings with BAA have taken place as follows:
	
		
			  Date  Officials 
			 9 April 2008 John Parkinson (Head of Airports Policy, DFT) and Martin Jones (Head of Strategic Roads) 
			 3 July 2008 Jonathan Moor (Director of Airports Strategy, DFT) and John Parkinson 
			 17 July 2008 Jonathan Moor and John Parkinson 
			 22 July 2008 Quarterly meeting with BAA, attended by Simon Webb (Director General of Internal Networks and Environment, DFT) and Jonathan Moor 
			 26 August 2008 Jonathan Moor and John Parkinson 
			 3 September 2008 Simon Webb and Jonathan Moor 
			 18 September 2008 Jonathan Moor and John Parkinson 
			 3 October 2008 Quarterly meeting with BAA, attended by Simon Webb and Jonathan Moor 
			 6 November 2008 Jonathan Moor and John Parkinson 
			 14 November 2008 Jonathan Moor and David Hart (Head of International Networks Analysis and Support) 
			 24 November 2008 Jonathan Moor and John Parkinson 
		
	
	Again, these meetings covered a wide variety of topics, which may have included the expansion of Heathrow.
	Note that officials and ministers have met with BAA following the closure of the Heathrow consultation; but none of these meetings have discussed Heathrow.

Departmental Postal Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many and what percentage of letters sent by his Department were given to  (a) the Royal Mail and  (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		
			   (a) Royal Mail  (b)  Other postal service 
			  DF T organisational unit  Items  Percentage  Items  Percentage 
			 Central Department: London HQ(1) 87,694 97 2,758 3 
			 Air Accidents Investigation Branch(2) (2) 100 (2) 0 
			 Marine Accident Investigation Branch (2) 99 (2) 1 
			 Rail Accident Investigation Branch(1) 3,372 98.80 40 1.20 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency(3) 108,767,612 100 (3) (3) 
			 Driving Standards Agency(4) (4) 99 (4) 1 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency(5) (2) 100 0 0 
			 Highways Agency(5) (5) (5)99 (5) (5)1 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency(6) (6) (6) (6) (6) 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(2) (2) 100 (2) 0 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency(2) (2) 99 (2) 1 
			 (1) Includes letters and other articles (parcels, packets etc) transmitted by post. (2) No record kept of number of items sent. (3) 100 per cent. of the mail despatched to the public is sent via Royal Mail. The only other provider is Secure Mail Services which is used to securely transport mail internally to local office. (4) The requested information can be provided only at disproportionate cost. However, DSA estimates that around 99 per cent. of its letters are given to Royal Mail for delivery. (5) The Highways Agency does not maintain number counts for the posting of letters. Above is an estimate. (6) The Information requested is not collected in the format requested. Cost analysis would not reflect numbers and/or percentage as the cost element is not fixed between couriers.

Departmental Press

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department has spent on newspapers, magazines and periodicals in each year since 1997.

Geoff Hoon: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002. Total payments coded as expenditure for magazines, newspapers and other publications in the Department's accounting systems since this date are recorded as follows:
	
		
			
			 2002-03 155,654 
			 2003-04 84,884 
			 2004-05 68,447 
			 2005-06 553,881 
			 2006-07 277,389 
			 2007-08 302,267 
			 2008-09 to date 217,144 
		
	
	Magazines, newspapers and other publications are purchased to support the day to day activity of the Department. Professional journals and other trade publications are purchased to support professional activities and specialist activities such as civil engineering and contract work, the work of the Department's legal services, marine engineering activity. The 'other publications' category includes a wide range of types and may include one-off purchases.
	It should be noted that the totals for 2002-03, 2003-04 and 2004-05 show the position for the Vehicle Certification Agency and Maritime and Coastguard Agency only. The remainder of the Department could provide this information only at disproportionate cost for these years.
	The totals from 2005-06 onwards include all but the data from the Government Car and Despatch Agency and the Driving Standards Agency who could provide this information only at disproportionate cost.
	From 2006-07 the central Department introduced a revised coding structure. Prior to this it was not possible to separate expenditure on books and purchases of other official material. The total for 2005-06 therefore includes this expenditure.
	The figure provided by the Highways Agency for 2005-06 also includes publications purchased and recorded against specific road projects.

Heathrow Airport

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure any disruption to travellers at Heathrow resulting from the visit to London by those attending the G20 summit is minimised.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 10 March 2009
	 The Department for Transport has been working with the organisers of the summit from the outset to ensure that the arrangements for the event involve minimum disruption to airline operators and passengers.

Heathrow Airport

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will hold discussions with  (a) the National Air Traffic Service,  (b) the Civil Aviation Authority and  (c) BAA plc on minimising disruption to airline operators and passengers at Heathrow airport during the forthcoming G20 summit.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department for Transport has been working with the organisers of the summit from the outset to ensure that the arrangements for the event involve minimum disruption to airline operators and passengers.

Heathrow Airport: Road Traffic

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 12 February 2009,  Official Report, column 2131W, on Heathrow airport: road traffic, what the daily traffic composition was for the main road corridors to Heathrow in 2008.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Road traffic data for 2008 are not yet available. They will be released as part of the Road Traffic Statistics 2008: Traffic, Speeds and Congestion publication in summer 2009.
	Road traffic data for specific roads will be published at:
	www.dft.gov.uk/matrix

Humber Bridge Board

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the most recent occasion was on which he or his predecessor met or spoke to a representative of the Humber Bridge Board; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: The then Minister of State for Transport, my hon. Friend the Member for South Thanet (Dr. Ladyman) met with the Humber Bridge Board early in 2007 to discuss revision of interest rates on the debt owed to the Secretary of State. There have been no further discussions with the board.

Humber Bridge: Tolls

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will consider the merits of introducing a local residents' scheme for the Humber Bridge Toll; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: This is a matter for the Humber Bridge Board.

Railways: Fares

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his latest estimate is of the cost to the public purse of bringing UK rail commuter fares into line with those in other European countries; on what basis he arrived at that estimate; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Clark: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The latest estimate was outlined at the Transport Committee by my noble Friend, the Minister of State (Lord Adonis) on 25 February. We believe lowering fares to the average levels on the continent, as estimated by Passenger Focus, would cost a minimum of 500 million. The Government have no data independent of Passenger Focus on which to undertake modelling.

Roads: Repairs and Maintenance

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many highways authorities have introduced a street works licence scheme under the new Roads and Street Works Act 1991, as amended by the Traffic Management Act 2004.

Paul Clark: holding answer 10 March 2009
	 Neither the New Roads and Street Works Act 1991, nor the Traffic Management Act 2004, allows for a street works licence scheme. However part 3 of the Traffic Management Act 2004, which came into force in April 2008, allows local authorities in England, with the consent of the Secretary of State, to operate a permit scheme, under which anyone carrying out works in the public highway must seek permission for those works before proceeding.
	No authorities have yet been authorised to operate a permit scheme. Transport for London and 13 London boroughs submitted a London Common Permit scheme for the Department for Transport's approval in July 2008. The Department sought clarification about the proposed scheme last September and we await further information.
	In January 2009 Kent county council submitted a separate application to run a permit scheme. This is being considered by officials.

Rolling Stock

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the energy consumption, exclusive of passenger capacity, of  (a) an Intercity 225 train and  (b) the proposed Intercity Express programme train.

Paul Clark: holding answer 6 March 2009
	Exclusive of passenger capacity, and when compared to an Intercity 225 train, the Super Express train will consume just over 2 per cent. less energy on a typical journey between London and Edinburgh.
	The energy consumption rate increases as the train's speed increases. Super Express trains will offer faster journeys than today's Intercity 225 trains. The new trains could be made more energy efficient if they were to operate as slowly as the current trains, although this would result in a less competitive rail service.

Transport: Crimes of Violence

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many victims of violence were recorded by British Transport police in each force area in each year since 1997.

Paul Clark: This information is not held by the Department for Transport, but by the British Transport police who can be contacted at:
	British Transport police
	25 Camden Road
	London NW1 9LN
	E-mail:
	parliament@btp.pnn.police.uk

JUSTICE

Graveyards: Safety

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what assessment he has made of the implementation by  (a) churches and  (b) local authorities of his Department's guidelines on health and safety in graveyards.

Bridget Prentice: We are now discussing with relevant representative organisations how best to obtain early feedback on our recently-published guidelines on managing the safety of memorials. We are also planning to undertake a fuller assessment, probably through a questionnaire, a year after publication.

Graveyards: Safety

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will review the accuracy of summaries produced of his Department's guidelines on graveyard health and safety over the last three months.

Bridget Prentice: We will address any questions or concerns about the application or interpretation of the guidance on memorial safety as they come to our attention.

Legal Aid: Housing

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice at which courts in England and Wales free legal representation funded by the Government at repossession hearings is available; and how many legal advisers have been allocated to each court.

Shahid Malik: The Legal Services Commission (LSC) funds free legal representation at repossession hearings via the Housing Possession Court Duty Scheme. The scheme is available at 112 courts. There follows a full list of the courts where the scheme is available.
	The LSC does not record the number of advisers per court and there is no specific number of advisers required. The LSC does require that legal aid providers ensure there is at least one adviser in court when the possession lists are heard and that all sessions are covered.
	Aldershot and Farnborough
	Alnwick
	Ashford
	Barnsley
	Barnet
	Basildon
	Birkenhead
	Birmingham
	Bishop Auckland
	Blackpool
	Bow
	Bradford
	Bridlington
	Brighton
	Bromley
	Burton on Trent
	Bury St Edmunds
	Cambridge
	Central London
	Cheltenham
	Chesterfield
	Colchester
	Consett
	Coventry
	Croydon
	Darlington
	Dartford
	Derby
	Dewsbury
	Doncaster
	Dover
	Dudley
	Durham
	Eastbourne
	Edmonton
	Folkestone
	Gateshead
	Gee Street Court (Clerkenwell)
	Gee Street Court (Shoreditch)
	Gloucester
	Gravesham
	Great Yarmouth
	Grimsby
	Halifax
	Harlow
	Hartlepool
	Hertford
	Huddersfield
	Hull
	Huntingdon
	Ilford
	Keighley
	Kettering
	Kidderminster
	Kings Lynn
	Kingston
	Lambeth
	Lancaster
	Leeds
	Liverpool
	Lowestoft
	Luton
	Mansfield
	Morpeth and Berwick
	Newcastle
	North Shields
	Northampton
	Norwich
	Nottingham
	Nuneaton
	Oxford
	Peterborough
	Pontefract
	Portsmouth
	Preston
	Redditch
	Rotherham
	Rugby
	Runcorn
	Scarborough
	Scunthorpe
	Sheffield
	Skipton
	Slough
	South Shields
	Southend
	Southport
	St Albans
	St Helens
	Stafford
	Stoke on Trent
	Stourbridge
	Sunderland
	Swansea
	Tameside
	Tamworth
	Teesside
	Tunbridge Wells
	Wakefield
	Wandsworth
	Warrington
	Watford
	Wellingborough
	West London
	Weston Super Mare
	Whitby
	Whitehaven
	Winchester
	Wolverhampton
	Woolwich
	Worcester
	Worthing
	York.
	In addition to the LSC funded schemes, the Department for Communities and Local Government funds 41 court desk schemes in England:
	 DCLG funded schemes:
	Accrington
	Banbury
	Barnstaple
	Barrow-in-Furness
	Bedford
	Bodmin
	Bristol
	Burnley
	Buxton
	Cirencester Magistrates
	Evesham
	Grantham
	Harrogate
	Haywards Heath
	Hereford
	Kendal
	Lewes
	Lincoln
	Ludlow
	Maidstone
	Melton Mowbray
	Nelson
	Newark
	Newport (I.O.W.)
	Northwich
	Oswestry
	Penrith
	Penzance
	Rawtenstall
	Salisbury
	Shrewsbury
	Skegness
	Stratford
	Swindon
	Telford
	Trowbridge
	Truro
	Walsall
	Warwick
	Worksop
	Yeovil.

Legal Aid: Housing

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice with reference to the answer to the right hon. Member for Leeds, West (John Battle) of 26 November 2008,  Official Report, columns 1500-01W, on housing: low incomes, how many people in Wales have received assistance from each of the desks established in courts to provide free legal representation at repossession hearings in each month since the scheme's inception.

Shahid Malik: Free legal representation at repossession hearings in Wales is available through Swansea county court, and details of the number of people who have received assistance in each month since it was first piloted in January 2002 are shown as follows.
	Between January 2004 and March 2005 there are no these data available. At that time the reporting of these data relied on providers submitting paper forms to the Legal Services Commission and in some cases no forms were ever sent. Since April 2007 these data have been submitted electronically and consequently the figures are more reliable.
	
		
			   Number 
			  2002  
			 January 8 
			 February 10 
			 March 7 
			 April 12 
			 May 18 
			 June 10 
			 July 12 
			 August 6 
			 September 9 
			 October 12 
			 November 4 
			 December 12 
			   
			  2003  
			 January 9 
			 February 6 
			 March 5 
			 April 17 
			 May 5 
			 June 9 
			 July 11 
			 August 12 
			 September 10 
			 October 7 
			 November 1 
			 December 4 
			   
			  2004  
			 January  
			 February  
			 March  
			 April  
			 May  
			 June  
			 July  
			 August  
			 September  
			 October  
			 November  
			 December  
			   
			  2005  
			 January  
			 February  
			 March  
			 April 4 
			 May 1 
			 June 6 
			 July 6 
			 August 11 
			 September 6 
			 October 0 
			 November 0 
			 December 21 
			   
			  2006  
			 January 14 
			 February 4 
			 March 0 
			 April 5 
			 May 12 
			 June 5 
			 July 23 
			 August 7 
			 September 13 
			 October 14 
			 November 5 
			 December 4 
			   
			  2007  
			 January 16 
			 February 9 
			 March 9 
			 April 14 
			 May 9 
			 June 8 
			 July 14 
			 August 9 
			 September 9 
			 October 14 
			 November 8 
			 December 8 
			   
			  2008  
			 January 14 
			 February 12 
			 March 15 
			 April 17 
			 May 6 
			 June 9 
			 July 16 
			 August 13 
			 September 17 
			 October 18 
			 November 11 
			 December 4 
			   
			  2009  
			 January 11 
			 February 6

Legal Aid: Housing

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice pursuant to the answer of 3 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1507W, on legal aid: housing 
	(1)  how many applications for acts of assistance relating to housing have been received in 2008-09; and how many such applications have been accepted;
	(2)  how much the Legal Services Commission spent on acts of assistance relating to housing in each of the last five years; and how much has been spent in 2008-09 to date on applications for acts of assistance;
	(3)  how many new housing matters have been started by the Legal Services Commission in 2008-09;
	(4)  what proportion of all applications for  (a) civil representations and  (b) legal help in 2008-09 to date have been related to housing.

Shahid Malik: The information requested is currently being collated. I will write to the hon. Member as soon as the information becomes available.

Legal Aid: Negligence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many legally-aided clinical negligence cases were closed in the last year for which figures are available; and how many resulted in  (a) an award of damages and  (b) a settlement involving an agreement to pay (i) damages and (ii) compensation.

Shahid Malik: The information requested is currently being collated. I will write to the hon. Member once the information becomes available.

Reoffenders: Essex

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many offenders re-offended while on probation in  (a) West Chelmsford constituency and  (b) Essex in the last five years.

David Hanson: The measure of reoffending used to provide National Statistics for England and Wales is not broken down by area. However, newly published data on local adult reoffending (a different measure of reoffending to the national statistics) are broken down by probation area and local authority (upper tier only).
	The number of offenders used to calculate the local reoffending rate for the Essex probation area between 1 October 2007 and 30 September 2008 is 20,810 and the reoffending rate is 8.19 per cent.
	The number of offenders used to calculate the local reoffending rate for the Essex county council area, which excludes the unitary authorities of Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock, is 15,737 and the reoffending rate is 8.20 per cent.
	The local measure measures the reoffending of all offenders on the probation caseload, aged 18 or over, at a certain point in time (a snapshot), while the national measure covers all offenders commencing a court order under probation supervision or released from custody during the first quarter of the year. Additionally, the local measure allows a three month period for reoffences to be committed, while the national measure allows a year.
	The local reoffending figures are produced by aggregating the data of four snapshots of the probation caseload. Therefore the number of offenders quoted above is approximately four times the number of offenders on the caseload at any one time.
	A reoffending rate of 8.19 per cent. with a caseload size of 20,810 does not mean that 1,704 different offenders committed a reoffence, as some offenders may have appeared in more than one cohort and reoffended more than once.
	It should be noted the probation supervision of some offenders may end during the period while their reoffending is being monitored. Therefore some reoffences may be committed after probation supervision has finished.
	For further details please see Local reoffending results 1 October 2007 to 30 September 2008 England and Wales available at:
	http://www.justice.gov.uk/docs/local-adult-reoffending-oct07-sept08.pdf
	This is the first time that reoffending data at the local level have been made available.
	The Ministry of Justice does not currently collate reoffending data at the constituency level.

Wetherby Young Offender Institution

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice 
	(1)  whether boys held on red level in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution are permitted to telephone their solicitors during office hours;
	(2)  how much outdoor exercise boys in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution are able to take;
	(3)  how often boys held on red level in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution have association with other young people; and how long on average they spend alone in their cells each day;
	(4)  how often boys held on red level in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution are permitted to telephone their families;
	(5)  what the arrangements for providing boys in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution with decent clothing are;
	(6)  how often boys held on red level in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution are allowed to have a shower;
	(7)  how many boys in each age cohort have been placed on red level in Wetherby Young Offenders Institution in each month since January 2008; and for how long each was on red level.

David Hanson: Those on red level status have the same access to telephones during office hours as other young people at Wetherby. However like all other young people they are normally engaged in educational or vocational training activities during the core day. If a young person needs to contact his solicitor a member of staff will facilitate it as soon as possible.
	During the week, young people walk to their activity areas each day in the fresh air. At weekends, all young people have access to at least one hour's outdoor exercise per day. During the summer months, young people also have access to outdoor exercise in the evenings. In addition there are a large number of outdoor activities as well as horticultural and recycling vocational training. Some physical education activities also take place outdoors.
	Young people on red level participate in the whole range of purposeful activities and curriculum. However they do not take part in association with other young people during the evenings or at weekends. Typically, they might expect to be out of their room for approximately 6.75 hours each day during weekdays, although this will vary for each young person.
	Young people on red level are permitted to telephone their families at least every other day. However, more frequent contact can be arranged in cases where young people would benefit from it.
	Freshly laundered clothing is issued to young people on a weekly basis. They receive five T-shirts, seven pairs of underpants, socks, a gym vest and shorts, two jumpers and two pairs of trousers. Each unit also keeps a stock of clean clothing in case a young person requires an emergency replacement.
	48 rooms at Wetherby have a fitted shower providing unlimited access. The vast majority of other young people, including those on red level, have an opportunity to shower daily when they attend physical education activities or during the evening association periods.
	The information on numbers of young people placed on red level and the length of time spent on red level is not held in the format requested and would involve the examination of a very large numbers of individual files which would involve disproportionate cost.

Wymott Prison: Manpower

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice how many prison staff were employed at HM Prison Wymott  (a) before and  (b) after the opening of the new residential unit.

David Hanson: The residential unit at HM Prison Wymott was opened on 19 September 2008. At 31 August 2008 567 staff were employed in Wymott and at 30 September 2008 573 staff were employed in this establishment. As at 28 February 2009, there were 562 staff employed in this establishment

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Anniversaries

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what criteria are used by his Department in its decision to mark the anniversary of an occasion; and which anniversaries his Department plans to mark in each of the next three years.

Barbara Follett: No one Department within Whitehall deals with anniversary events as such. Decisions on commemorating significant occasions or events are taken by Ministers and then the most appropriate Department will take forward the arrangements.
	DCMS is responsible within Government for co-ordinating the annual Remembrance Day ceremony at the Cenotaph.
	Anniversaries for which celebrations are planned by DCMS sponsored bodies include the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin, organised by English Heritage, and the 500th anniversary of Henry Vlll's accession to the throne, organised by Historic Royal Palaces. Both these anniversaries occur in 2009 and plans by the Department, or its sponsored bodies, for the celebration of other major anniversaries will be announced nearer the time.

British Library

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps have been taken to minimise the possibility of a fire sprinkler malfunction at  (a) the British Library and  (b) other places where items from the national collection are stored.

Barbara Follett: Extensive fire and flood prevention and protection measures are built into  (a) British Library premises and  (b) other places where items from the national collection are stored. The British Library and other places where items from the national collection are stored are aware of the risk to collections from a fire sprinkler malfunction and have accounted for this at design stage and in on-going procedures. In addition, the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council has a National Security Adviser who can advise and carry out fire and security risk assessments.

Broadcasting: EU Action

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate he has made of the cost to business in the UK of implementation of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive; and what the regulatory costs of its predecessor were.

Andy Burnham: The estimated additional cost of the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive is 505,000 per annum plus 250,000 in one-off transition costs.
	We set out these costs in the preliminary impact assessments published with our consultation on 31 July 2008. They will fall to be met by the video-on-demand industry, and by non-EU satellite channels uplinked from the UK. They do not take into account the savings to the industry of replacing the current self-regulatory arrangements for video-on-demand services.
	Updated impact assessments will be published with the implementing regulations later this year. I have made no estimate of the regulatory costs of the Television Without Frontiers Directive, which preceded the AVMS Directive and was last revised in 1997.

Departmental Detergents

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make it his policy to ensure that no cleaning products or ingredients of cleaning products used by his Department have been tested on animals.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department does not use any cleaning products or ingredients that have been tested on animals.

Departmental Ministerial Policy Advisors

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much has been claimed in reimbursable expenses by special advisers in his Department in 2008-09 to date.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Costs incurred will be available only when the Department's resource accounts are fully audited and laid before Parliament. This is expected to be before the 2009 summer recess.

Departmental NDPBs

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what risk rating was applied to each of his Department's non-departmental public bodies as part of their recent risk reviews; and what additional discretion has been afforded to those bodies deemed to be low risk.

Andy Burnham: The risk ratings are an internal tool that we use to guide our day-to-day relationship with each sponsored body. The ratings can change whenever there is a significant change in a body's activities or in its external environment, therefore we do not publish them.
	We will shortly use the risk ratings to delegate greater freedom, where appropriate, for sponsored bodies to undertake capital projects without having to seek approval from Government. We will continue to look for ways of streamlining the framework of checks and controls that applies to low-risk bodies.

Departmental Postal Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many and what percentage of letters sent by his Department were given to  (a) the Royal Mail and  (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department sent 42,170 items of mail in the last 12 months. 100 per cent. were given to the Royal Mail.

Departmental Public Appointments

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what information his Department holds on the number of persons appointed to executive positions in bodies for which his Department has responsibility in the last five years who previously had careers in the banking industry.

Andy Burnham: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Public Consultants

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what payments for  (a) polling and  (b) other services his Department has made to (i) Deborah Mattinson and (ii) Opinion Leader Research Limited since 31 December 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Department has no records of payments to either Deborah Mattinson or Opinion Leader Research Limited.

Departmental Training

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether his Department has provided voice coaching to any of its employees in the last 12 months.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Within the last 12 months the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not provided voice coaching courses for any of its employees.

Hotels: Greater London

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of visitor accommodation facilities in London are accredited under the National Quality Accreditation Scheme.

Barbara Follett: The London Development Agency have advised that, as at February 2009, 57 per cent. of visitor accommodation facilities (rooms) in London are accredited under the national quality accreditation scheme. This includes hostels, campus sites, serviced and self-catering apartments, bed and breakfast establishments/guesthouses, caravan parks, hotels, single rooms and accommodation found through agencies. The figure for hotels alone is 76 per cent. of rooms.

Hotels: Greater London

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much of the London Development Agency's funding for increased accreditation of London accommodation under the National Quality Accreditation Scheme has been spent.

Barbara Follett: The London Development Agency have advised that as at January 2009 they had spent 443,397 promoting quality improvement in London for businesses that provide accommodation.

ITV Wales: Hearing Impaired

Alun Michael: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the effects of the decision taken by ITV Wales to discontinue the provision of British Sign Language interpretation of their flagship news programme on the company's ability to meet its public service obligations.

Andy Burnham: The Communications Act 2003 sets minimum targets for signing of programmes by broadcasters. However, it is the responsibility of Ofcom to ensure that these requirements are met. The Government understand that the signing of parts of some regional news programmes provided by ITV has always been in addition to the minimum targets set out in the Communications Act 2003.
	Government welcome the fact that last year all ITV channels exceeded their minimum access services targets set out by Ofcom and that ITV intend to continue to subtitle all of their news programmes and bulletins.

Legal Deposit: Digital Technology

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when he received the independent report on extension of legal deposit to digital and online media; and if he will publish it.

Barbara Follett: Recommendations on legal deposit for digital and online media are being received from the Legal Deposit Advisory Panel on an ongoing basis and are considered as they are received. Policy formulated in response to recommendations will be published for public consultation at the appropriate time. The decision whether to publish the recommendations themselves will be taken as part of that process.

National Library of Scotland

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether any items from the national collection were damaged as a result of the recent failure of the sprinkler system at the National Library of Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: The National Library of Scotland is a devolved function and this is a matter for the Scottish Executive.

Public Libraries

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make an assessment of the likely effect on public library authority budgets for 2009-10 of the time taken to publish the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA's) survey of library usage; whether his Department has held discussions with CIPFA on the matter; what account he takes of  (a) the survey and  (b) other statistics when assessing the value of public library services; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: It is unlikely that the time taken to publish the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy's (CIPFA's) survey of library usage will have an effect on public library authority budgets for 2009-10.
	Due to the various validity checks from both CIPFA and the Audit Commission, and taking in queries from local authorities, the earliest date that figures can be shared with all subscribers is November. Data are published nationally between January and March. CIPFA believes this timetable ensures a 100 per cent. response rate and accurate data. We do not believe this timetable affects an authority's ability to plan budgets for the following financial year.
	DCMS is represented on the CIPFA Library Standards and Statistics Working Party, but has not otherwise discussed the survey with CIPFA.
	Being the primary source of data on public libraries, we look forward to the publication of the annual CIPFA statistics. However, we believe that local authorities should have the freedom to manage their library budgets in accordance with the needs and wishes of their communities and that close monitoring of their performance is unnecessary.
	The Library Service Modernisation Review, which was launched by the Secretary of State in October, will define Government's high level vision for the provision of modernised library services, and the necessary steps to achieve this vision, and is intended to encourage excellence in all authorities. We believe that participation increases when services are excellent and we hope that results of our own Taking Part and Active People surveys will demonstrate year on year increases in library participation.

Royal Parks Agency: Parking

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate his Department has made of the annual revenues which would be generated from the Royal Parks Agency's proposed car park charging regime in  (a) Richmond Park and  (b) Bushy Park; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The Royal Parks (TRP) advise that a consultation is underway about the possibility of introducing parking charges in Bushy and Richmond parks and the level of the fee. No decision has been taken about whether the proposal will be adopted or the level of charge and nor will it be until the consultation is complete.

Sex Establishments

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will take steps to exclude lap dancing from the provisions of temporary event notices.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Lap dancing itself is not a licensable activity under the Licensing Act 2003, which controls activities such as the performance of dance but has no role in censoring the content of any such performance. The Government currently have no plans to change the regime for permitted temporary activities contained in the Licensing Act 2003 or to give it a new role involving censorship. I am aware that concerns regarding the use of temporary events notices for lapdancing events were raised during the House of Commons committee stage of the Policing and Crime Bill. In response, the Minister with responsibility for crime reduction, the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department, my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth, (Mr. Campbell) stated that he would discuss the issue with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. These discussions are ongoing.

Television: Licences

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much money was collected from television licence fees in the UK in each of the last five years.

Andy Burnham: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for South-West Surrey (Mr. Hunt) on 14 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1203W.

Tourism

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment he has made of the prospects for the tourism sector in 2009.

Barbara Follett: The British Tourism Framework Review, carried out by Deloitte on behalf of VisitBritain, includes assessment of the prospects for the tourism sector in 2009. The report can be located at the following web address:
	http://www.visitbritain.com/en/campaigns/tourism-review/reports.aspx
	At the National Tourism summit in January 2009 both the Prime Minister, the Secretary of State and I spoke about opportunities within the tourism sector. These include: the increased affordability of our high quality tourism product for visitors from the USA and Eurozone countries; the forthcoming decade of world class sports events which provide opportunities to showcase our towns, cities and regions; and our dynamic culture, incomparable countryside, and heritage.

Tourism: South West

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps his Department is taking to support the tourist industry in the South West.

Barbara Follett: Between 2008 and 2011, the Department will have provided 3.5 million annually to the regional development agencies for the support of the tourism industry.
	In the same period, the DCMS will have provided over 130 million to VisitBritain and VisitEngland to market Britain to overseas visitors, and England to domestic visitors respectively.
	DCMS has also made 45 million (15 million per annum over three years) available through the Sea Change programme, which aims to help the regeneration of seaside resorts in England through cultural and heritage projects. In the first year of the programme (2008-09), 4,160,655 was allocated to the south west as set out in the following table:
	
		
			  Seaside town/resort  Grant allocated () 
			 Torbay 2,247,532 
			 Boscombe 455,000 
			 Teignmouth 376,676 
			 Weston-Super-Mare 951,447 
			 Westward Ho! (1)100,000 
			 Ilfracombe (2)30,000 
			 (1 )Development grant (2 )Feasibility grant

HOME DEPARTMENT

Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what account her Department takes of published anti-Semitic views of individuals seeking to enter the United Kingdom in deciding whether to grant entry; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: Where there is clear, reliable evidence that a non British citizen has engaged in one or more of a list of unacceptable behaviours, and has not clearly and publicly repudiated their previous extremist views or actions, there will be a presumption towards exclusion from the UK. The list includes behaviour likely to incite racial or religious hatred. Each case will be considered carefully to determine whether the evidence provided demonstrates that the person's actions or activities constitute unacceptable behaviour and therefore justify exclusion from the UK.

Asylum: Zimbabwe

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many Zimbabwean asylum seekers have been refused asylum in the UK in each year since 2005.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 12 February 2009
	There were 945 Zimbabwean principal asylum seekers refused asylum at initial decision in 2005, 1,510 in 2006, 1,115 in 2007 and 1,660 between January and September 2008. All figures are rounded to the nearest five and 2007 and 2008 figures are provisional.
	Information on asylum is published annually and quarterly. Annual figures are available in Table 3.3 of Asylum Statistics United Kingdom 2007 published on 21 August 2008. Quarterly figures are available in the supplementary web tables published with the Control of Immigration: Quarterly Statistics Summary. Q4 2008 was available from 24 February 2009 from the Library of the House and from the Home Office Research, Development and Statistics Directorate website at:
	http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration-asylum-stats.html

Begging and Vagrancy

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment she has made of alternatives to use of the criminal justice system in reducing the incidence of begging and vagrancy.

Alan Campbell: There have been no recent assessments of alternatives to the criminal justice system in reducing the incidence of begging or vagrancy. It is for local areas to determine what works best for them in tackling the problem where it exists.

Binyam Mohamed

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment she has made of the threat of persecution to Mr Binyam Mohamed in his country of origin.

Phil Woolas: We do not normally comment on individual cases and cannot confirm or deny whether an individual is seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. Mr. Mohamed has only recently returned to the United Kingdom and his current status is accordingly being considered.

Contracts: Costs

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the  (a) first estimate,  (b) last estimate and  (c) outturn cost was of each of the 30 largest IT contracts her Department has entered into with external suppliers since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 27 January 2009
	 Details of the largest information technology contracts agreed by the Department since 1997 are as follows:
	
		
			   million 
			  IT contract  First estimate  Last estimate  Outturn cost 
			 Criminal Records Bureau PPP agreement: Capita 400 400 (1)334 
			 Independent Safeguarding AuthorityVetting and Barring Scheme: Logica 47 50 (1)28.5 
			 HO and UKBAIT2000 provision of desktop, remote access, applications. 700 700 (1,2)566 
			 UKBAIND Procurement of Infrastructure, Development and Support (IPIDS): ATOS Origin 250 250 130 
			 UKBAMycroftSERCO 42 42 (1)43.5 
			 UKBAIAFs (Immigration Automated Fingerprinting System): Sagem 31 31 (1)28.7 
			 UKBA. Warnings IndexFujitsu 32.8 32.8 8.8 
			 UKBA. E-bordersTrusted Borders Consortium 863 880 (1)105 
			 UKBASemaphore: IBM 30 50 45.7 
			 Group Wide Services (GWS): Savvis 1st tranche Applications 7 7 (1)3.7 
			 IPSPASS 116 116 (1,3)338 
			 IPS Pass subsequent phases 244 244 (3) 
			 IPSAdmin IT: ATOS Origin 55 55 (1)49 
			 IPSSearch/Analysis systemBiographical Footprint check: Equifax plc 8 (3)13.4 (1,3)13.4 
			 Secure Hosting of aboveEquifax plc 4 (3) (3) 
			 IPSPIMIS: IBM 9 9 9 
			 IPSPKI: nCipher Corporation 7 8.5 (1)5 
			 IPSFraud MI: Logica CMG 0.8 1.5 1.5 
			 IPSWebsite: Redweb Ltd. 0.5 0.5 (3)2.0 
			 WebsiteSubsequent phases and supportRedweb Ltd. 1.5 1.5 (3) 
			 IPSICT Goods and Services: Computacenter (4) 16 16 
			 (1) To date. (2 )January 2009. (3) Indicates brace (4) OGC cross government framework

Crime: Internet

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent estimate she has made of the number of victims of on-line crime in the last 12 months.

Alan Campbell: These data are not kept centrally. Crimes are prosecuted on the basis of the offence committed and not the medium used.

Departmental Postal Services

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of letters sent by her Department were given to  (a) the Royal Mail and  (b) another postal services provider for delivery in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Phil Woolas: This information is not held centrally for the whole Department. However an estimated 275,000 letters were sent by Royal Mail from the Department's HQ at 2 Marsham street in the last 12 months. Apart from couriers and the Government's internal dispatch service no other postal provider has been used. 2 Marsham street also houses Ministry of Justice staff whose letters are included in this estimate.

Domestic Violence

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many recorded cases of domestic violence there were in each police force area in which  (a) no action was taken,  (b) a warning was issued,  (c) a possible offender was arrested and  (d) a possible offender was charged in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is not available centrally.

Firearms

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal hand guns are estimated to be in circulation in the UK.

Alan Campbell: holding answer 9 February 2009
	We do not hold this information centrally.

Firearms: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were found to be carrying illegal  (a) weapons and  (b) drugs during stop and search procedures by the police in West Chelmsford constituency in each of the last 10 years.

Alan Campbell: The information requested is not collected centrally.
	Information on stops and searches under PACE and the number of resultant arrests for weapons and drugs reported to the Home Office are broken down by police force area only, and cannot separately identify searches in individual constituency areas.

Forensic Science: Females

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many female forensic nurses have been trained in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The data requested are given in the table.
	
		
			   Number of female forensic nurses trained 
			 2005 1 
			 2006 14 
			 2007 4 
			 2008 4 
			 2009 (1) 
			 Total 23 
			 (1 )None to date.

Genetics: Databases

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many times information has been accessed from the Police National Computer as evidence of bad character under section 101 of the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Vernon Coaker: This information is not held centrally.

Illegal Immigrants

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants have been detected stowing away in lorries at each of her Department's check-points within the UK in each month since January 2005.

Jacqui Smith: In 2008 alone, over 28,000 attempts to cross the channel and enter the UK illegally were prevented at the juxtaposed ports of Calais, Coquelles and Dunkirk.
	The following tables represent the number of clandestines detected in lorries at the juxtaposed locations in northern France from 2005 to 2008 as well as ports within the UK.
	
		
			  Locationjuxtaposed controls 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			   U/E  FP  U/E  FP  U/E  FP  U/E  FP 
			 January 189 872 364 1,227 406 819 785 1,894 
			 February 191 662 427 727 303 643 683 1,394 
			 March 235 705 332 875 297 508 571 947 
			 April 266 887 367 893 320 631 549 1,054 
			 May 249 834 403 946 448 724 490 978 
			 June 207 863 372 820 327 734 506 1,231 
			 July 350 877 377 780 455 717 625 1,306 
			 August 388 894 560 1,092 448 1,075 650 1,900 
			 September 270 927 424 1,317 497 1,286 946 2,055 
			 October 396 842 664 1,588 701 1,771 1,077 2,567 
			 November 449 1,269 528 842 651 1,996 941 2,313 
			 December 423 694 386 587 606 1,517 721 1,824 
			 Total 3,613 10,326 5,204 11,694 5,459 12,421 8,544 19,463 
			  Key: U/E = Represents figures for UKBA detections at juxtaposed ports including contracted partners. FP = Represents figures for detections at juxtaposed ports by the French port authorities. 
		
	
	
		
			  LocationDover, Ramsgate and Dartford Europort 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 January 60 68 51 68 
			 February 26 43 20 69 
			 March 35 18 27 43 
			 April 17 66 36 26 
			 May 46 41 26 46 
			 June 34 42 28 16 
			 July 41 40 37 31 
			 August 50 40 51 55 
			 September 45 36 56 45 
			 October 55 62 84 57 
			 November 47 53 42 89 
			 December 64 32 83 70 
			 Total 520 561 541 615 
		
	
	
		
			  Location Hull, Immingham, Humber Sea Terminal, Grimsby, Tyne Commission Quay and Teesport 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 January   3 8 
			 February   10 4 
			 March  5 9  
			 April  14  4 
			 May  8  7 
			 June  6 23 12 
			 July  4 8 12 
			 August  1  8 
			 September  1 9 9 
			 October  1 2 6 
			 November  17   
			 December4 
			 Total 81 57 64 74 
		
	
	
		
			  LocationPurfleet and Tilbury 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 January38 
			 February   4 13 
			 March   7 10 
			 April   9 9 
			 May   12 7 
			 June   3 13 
			 July  1 10 24 
			 August   2 16 
			 September  9 7 22 
			 October  16  7 
			 November  2 16 14 
			 December  2  11 
			 Total  30 70 184 
		
	
	
		
			  LocationNewhaven, Portsmouth, Plymouth and Poole 
			   2005  2006  2007  2008 
			 January  15 29 24 
			 February  42 18 10 
			 March  9 12 5 
			 April  8 7 10 
			 May  15 27 9 
			 June  14 44 14 
			 July  10 21 17 
			 August  44 24 8 
			 September  19 31 19 
			 October  17 20 14 
			 November  20 44 20 
			 December  20 18 4 
			 Total 163 233 295 154 
		
	
	All the data provided above have been compiled from locally held management information and as such do not represent National Statistics. They may therefore be subject to change.

National Police Improvement Agency: Consultants

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been spent on consultants by the National Policing Improvement Agency in the last year for which figures are available, broken down by  (a) project and  (b) contractor.

Jacqui Smith: The total National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) consultancy spend for the 2007-08 financial year was 71.4 million. This spend is made up of 66.5 million which was recorded in the Income and Expenditure accounts, along with 4.9 million of capitalised spend, which was included in the fixed asset additions for the year.
	The main consultancy services purchased by the NPIA are:
	specialised technical resources needed in the design and build of technology projects, for use by the police service,
	project and programme management skills,
	specific expert advice and guidance, where the NPIA does not retain the required skills or knowledge.
	We do not hold this information in the format requested, but are able to provide the following without incurring disproportionate cost.
	Table 1 shows consultancy spend on key projects within the NPIA during 2007-08.
	Table 2 shows the cost of the 20 largest suppliers of consultancy resource to the NPIA during this period.
	
		
			  Table 1: NPIA consultancy spend on NPIA key projects during 2007-08 
			million 
			 Custody and Case 19.4 
			 IMPACT 12.5 
			 Livescan 9.2 
			 Airwave 4.5 
			 Schengen Information System II 3.4 
			 PentiP 1.7 
		
	
	
		
			  Table 2: Top 20 suppliers of consultancy resource to NPIA during 2007-08 
			million 
			 Metropolitan police authority(1) 10.4 
			 Northrop Grumman Commercial Sys 8.7 
			 Capgemini UK Plc 7.0 
			 SunGard Public Sector Ltd. 5.5 
			 PA Consulting Group 2.4 
			 Rullion Computer Personnel Ltd. 2.0 
			 Cable and Wireless Communications 1.6 
			 Accenture 1.3 
			 Imperial College London 1.2 
			 LA International Consultants 1.2 
			 Generic Software Consultants Ltd. 1.2 
			 Northgate SIS Ltd. (Anite) 1.1 
			 Northgate Information Solutions UK 0.8 
			 Hudson Global Resources 0.8 
			 Parity Solutions Ltd. 0.7 
			 Amtec Consulting plc 0.6 
			 Spring Technology Staffing Services 0.6 
			 Arqiva 0.5 
			 Parity Resources 0.5 
			 QinetiQ 0.5 
			 (1) The Metropolitan Police Authority is shown as a supplier as it is recharging some of its own costs incurred for work on NPIA projects

Offensive Weapons: Convictions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 11 February 2009,  Official Report, column 2056W, on the Tackling Knives Action Programme, how many convictions for possession of a knife were recorded in each of the 10 Tackling Knives Action Programme areas between June and November in each of the last five years.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	Figures for individual TKAP areas are not provided, on the advice of statisticians, because the numbers are small for some areas and this means that changes over time for an area can be volatile.
	
		
			  Offences involving the possession of a knife or offensive weapon resulting in a sentence in TKAP areas as recorded on the police national computer, June to November, 2004-08 
			   Number of offences 
			 2004 5,016 
			 2005 4,883 
			 2006 4,859 
			 2007 4,701 
			 2008 5,516 
		
	
	The figures for the most recent period are likely to be revised as more information is recorded by the police.

Police: Databases

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals with records on the Police National Computer have been  (a) arrested and  (b) cautioned more than once.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 10 March 2009
	The latest available statistics for the information sought were produced on 21 January 2009.
	The number of persons with at least one arrest/summons entry on the Police National Computer was 7,258,061.
	The number of persons with at least one caution was 1,819,509, of which 1,465,975 had one caution. Therefore the number of persons with more than one caution was 353,534.

Prostitution

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when her Department plans to publish the responses received to the consultation letter of 26 September 2008 on proposals for prostitution legislation;
	(2)  when the Violent Crime Unit plans to publish responses to its consultation letter on proposals for prostitution legislation dated 26 September 2008.

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when she plans to publish the responses to her Department's letter dated 26 September 2008 asking for views on her proposals arising out of the Tackling Demand for Prostitution review.

Alan Campbell: The Government wrote to a range of interested organisations on 26 September to seek their views on the proposed legislation. We received 67 responses from a variety of organisations representing the voluntary sector, statutory partners, local authorities and representatives of persons involved in prostitution and the lap-dancing industry. This was not a formal consultation and we did not indicate to potential respondents that their responses would be published. We therefore do not feel it appropriate to do so, although individual organisations are, of course, free to publicise their own views.
	The issues involved here have also been subject to detailed scrutiny and discussion during the passage of the Policing and Crime Bill.

Public Order Offences

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department with reference to Table 2.04, Home Office Statistical Bulletin 07/08 Crime in England and Wales, if she will break down by offence the figure of 35,058 offences of 'Other offences against the State and public order' recorded in 2007-08.

Jacqui Smith: It is not possible to provide the breakdown requested. Police forces in England and Wales notify the Home Office of an aggregated figure for 'Other offences against the State and public order' but individual offences within that offence classification cannot be separately identified centrally.

Serious Organised Crime Agency: Consultants

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much the Serious Organised Crime Agency spent on external consultants in the financial years  (a) 2006-07,  (b) 2007-08 and  (c) 2008-09.

Alan Campbell: The information is as follows:
	
		
			million 
			  (a) 2006-07 1.60 
			  (b) 2007-08 1.62 
			  (c) 2008-09 (to 31 January 2009) 1.36

Theft

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offences of  (a) shoplifting,  (b) robbery of business property and  (c) theft by an employee were recorded by police in the quarter (i) July to September 2003, (ii) July to September 2004 and (iii) July to September 2005.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 10 March 2009
	The information requested is given in the table.
	
		
			  Selected offences recorded by the police in England and Wales 
			   July to September 
			  Offence  2003  2004  2005 
			 Shoplifting 74,831 68,530 72,953 
			 Robbery of business property 2,268 1,691 1,859 
			 Theft by an employee 4,307 4,412 4,188

Vetting

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many and what percentage of enhanced Criminal Records Bureau checks took longer than  (a) 10,  (b) 20,  (c) 30,  (d) 40,  (e) 50,  (f) 60,  (g) 70,  (h) 80,  (i) 90,  (j) 100,  (k) 150,  (l) 200 and  (m) 300 working days to complete in each year since 2003;

Shahid Malik: The Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) does not hold the information in the format requested.
	The CRB operates to a set of published service standards (PSS) which include to issue 90 per cent. of standard disclosures within 10 days and 90 per cent. of enhanced disclosures within 28 days.
	The figures showing how many and what percentage of enhanced disclosures were completed in 28 days or fewer and in more than 28 days in each financial year since 2004 are shown in the following table:
	
		
			   Enhanced disclosures issued in 28 days or fewer  Enhanced disclosures issued in more than 28 days  
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage  Total 
			 2004-05 1,938,010 89.9 217,730 10.1 2,155,740 
			 2005-06 2,073,621 84.4 383,276 15.6 2,456,897 
			 2006-07 2,494,629 84.6 454,105 15.4 2,948,743 
			 2007-08 2,828,768 93.4 199,892 6.6 3,028,660 
			 2008-09 2,528,724 88.2 338,310 11.8 2,867,034 
		
	
	Information from before 2004 was not recorded in this format and therefore is. unavailable.

Victim Support Schemes: Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding has been provided to local authorities for provision of  (a) rape crisis centres and  (b) domestic violence support services in 2008-09.

Alan Campbell: Responsibility for decisions on local funding of rape crisis and domestic violence services has moved from central Government to regional areas and local partnerships. Decisions on funding for local services are based on local areas identifying a need and including this in their priorities for improvement with outcomes specifying how the issues will be addressed and how they contribute to wider national aims.

Work Permits

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1834-5W, on work permits, if she will give a breakdown of the occupations in the category, Others.

Phil Woolas: holding answer 23 February 2009
	The following table provides a breakdown of occupations in the category Others and the associated number of individual approved work permit applications for the period 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2008 with the appropriate caveats.
	
		
			  W ork permit applications approved between  1 January 2006 and 31 December  2008 by selected category of occupation 
			  Occupation  2006  2007  2008  Total 
			 Polo Groom 900 1,025 1,590 3,515 
			 Other Legal Occupation 1,095 1,140 1,035 3,270 
			 Head Chef 970 955 1,130 3,060 
			 Lecturer (University) 990 1,110 890 2,990 
			 Second Chef 975 945 950 2,875 
			 Computer Programmer 980 800 950 2,730 
			 Other Construction/Land Occupation 815 810 820 2,445 
			 Musician 780 805 845 2,430 
			 Architect 855 845 730 2,430 
			 Fashion (Model) 710 750 835 2,300 
			 Pharmacist 660 670 760 2,090 
			 Researchers-Sponsored 735 715 470 1,920 
			 Restaurant Manager 670 575 665 1,915 
			 Social Worker 785 550 560 1,895 
			 Groom 335 495 575 1,405 
			 Other Entertainment Related Occupation 410 420 485 1,315 
			 Singer 390 435 450 1,275 
			 Surveyor 435 475 340 1,245 
			 Mushroom Processor - SBS 1,155 10 * 1,165 
			 Electrical/Electronic Engineer 365 345 385 1,095 
			 Radiographer 345 445 295 1,080 
			 Senior House Officer 640 345 65 1,050 
			 Specialist Registrar 595 250 195 1,040 
			 Lawyer 435 365 220 1,020 
			 Waiter/Waitress 470 385 165 1,020 
			 Civil/Structural Engineer 290 395 325 1,010 
			 Jockey (Work Rider) 245 315 405 970 
			 Other Transport Related Occupation 370 315 280 965 
			 General Manager 320 325 265 910 
			 Aircraft Engineer 200 270 395 870 
			 Meat Process Operative-SBS 850 5  855 
			 Solicitor 275 265 310 850 
			 Auditing 305 280 265 850 
			 Cricket Player/Coach 195 245 340 775 
			 Other Agricultural Occupation 345 205 175 730 
			 Physiotherapist 305 245 170 720 
			 Foundation Programme Dr 355 215 145 715 
			 Cricket Player 270 250 180 700 
			 Fashion (Other Related Occupation) 280 220 180 685 
			 Mechanical Engineer 220 210 230 660 
			 Disc Jockey 210 205 225 640 
			 Computer Engineer 290 160 175 620 
			 Skilled Craftsmen 235 145 190 570 
			 It Manager 185 185 185 560 
			 Actor (Film) 185 175 180 540 
			 Trader 150 200 180 530 
			 Dental Surgeon 215 155 145 520 
			 Architectural Technician 155 185 175 515 
			 Technician (Film) 140 185 160 485 
			 Geologist 140 155 190 485 
			 Meat Cutter - SBS 460 15 * 480 
			 Occupational Therapist 180 155 140 475 
			 Network Specialist 160 150 115 430 
			 Polo Player 120 115 180 415 
			 Other Sports Related Occupation 125 165 100 390 
			 Veterinary Surgeon 140 135 115 390 
			 Hotel Manager 175 115 85 375 
			 Database Specialist 90 155 105 350 
			 Biomedical Scientist 135 100 95 330 
			 Actor (Theatre) 110 115 100 325 
			 Kabaddi Player 110 110 95 315 
			 Personnel/Training Manager 100 125 90 310 
			 Dancer (Other) 105 115 90 305 
			 Comedian 70 90 105 260 
			 Investment Analyst 65 90 100 255 
			 Ice Hockey Player 60 85 105 250 
			 Producer (TV) 75 75 95 250 
			 Circus Artiste 95 70 75 245 
			 Lacrosse Development Officer 60 75 100 235 
			 Meat Packer - SBS 235   235 
			 Teacher Foreign Circ 80 85 70 235 
			 Midwife 70 90 70 235 
			 Basketball Player 80 80 70 230 
			 Rugby Union Player 75 70 75 220 
			 Actuary 90 75 55 220 
			 Director (Film) 75 75 65 215 
			 Football Player 70 65 70 210 
			 Hospital Consultant 80 50 60 190 
			 Process Operatives - SBS 190   190 
			 Dancer (Ballet) 60 55 65 180 
			 Psychiatrist 110 40 25 175 
			 Producer (Film) 75 45 50 175 
			 Chemical Engineer 55 65 55 170 
			 Conductor 60 50 65 170 
			 Optician 80 45 40 170 
			 Ship Related Occupation 60 55 55 165 
			 Rugby League Player 60 45 50 155 
			 Personal Assistant 60 50 45 155 
			 Dental Nurse 60 45 50 155 
			 Electronic Engineer 40 35 80 155 
			 Choreographer 50 50 50 150 
			 Fish Filleter - SBS 150   150 
			 Transport  Highways Engineer 50 55 40 145 
			 Meat Bone Extractor - SBS 145   145 
			 Medical Practitioner 55 35 55 145 
			 Manager (Entertainment Related) 45 40 60 140 
			 Animator 45 55 40 140 
			 Sheep Shearer 30 55 50 140 
			 Writer 35 40 55 135 
			 Editor (Film) 40 45 35 115 
			 Purchasing Manager 40 40 30 115 
			 Catering Manager 50 30 30 110 
			 Receptionist 65 25 20 110 
			 Advertising/Public Relations Manager 45 35 30 110 
			 Legal Executive 35 20 55 110 
			 Railway Engineer 50 40 20 105 
			 GP Registrar 65 25 10 100 
			 Coach (Other) 25 35 30 90 
			 Director (Theatre) 40 15 35 90 
			 Editor (TV) 35 35 20 90 
			 Speech Therapist 35 35 20 90 
			 Audiologist 30 20 35 85 
			 Actor (TV) 20 35 25 80 
			 Cricket Coach 25 25 25 80 
			 Technician (Theatre) 40 20 20 80 
			 Farm Worker 40 15 20 75 
			 Attorney 30 25 20 75 
			 Presenter 30 20 25 75 
			 Boxer 30 25 20 70 
			 Dietician 30 20 25 70 
			 Investment Manager 30 15 20 70 
			 Fish Packer - SBS 65   65 
			 Insurance Broker 20 25 20 65 
			 Motor Sports Driver 15 20 25 65 
			 Technician (Music) 15 10 40 65 
			 Bank Manager 20 20 25 65 
			 Camera Person (TV/Film) 25 30 10 65 
			 Psychologist 30 20 15 65 
			 Chiropractor 25 25 10 60 
			 Jockey 20 25 15 60 
			 Kitchen Assistant - SBS 45 15  60 
			 Acupuncturist 20 20 20 60 
			 Polo Trainer 35 20 5 60 
			 Photographer 20 20 15 55 
			 Trimmer - SBS 55   55 
			 Water Engineer 15 25 20 55 
			 Treasurer/Financial Mgr 15 25 15 55 
			 Meat Bone Breaker - SBS 55   55 
			 Assistant Dentist 30 20 5 50 
			 Speedway 15 15 15 50 
			 Interpreter/Translator 20 15 10 50 
			 Airline Pilot 10 20 15 45 
			 Director TV 10 25 10 45 
			 Ice Skater 10 20 15 45 
			 Road Crew 10 15 20 45 
			 It Architect (Senior) 15 20 10 40 
			 Materials Engineer 15 15 10 40 
			 Animal Gut Remover - SBS 30   30 
			 Rail Engineer (Structural/Bridge) 10 15 5 30 
			 Snooker Player 10 10 10 30 
			 Dancer (Contemporary) 10 5 10 30 
			 Food Service Op - SBS 30   30 
			 Technician (TV) 5 15 10 30 
			 Electronic and Opto-Elect 5 10 10 25 
			 Producer (Music) 10 10 10 25 
			 Composer 5 10 10 25 
			 Captain 10 15 * 25 
			 Cold Store Operative - SBS 25   25 
			 Farm Manager 10 5 10 25 
			 TV Consultant 5 5 10 25 
			 Hockey Player 10 10 5 20 
			 Stock Broker 5 10 5 20 
			 Commentator * 10 10 20 
			 Director Music 5 5 5 20 
			 Gymnasts Coach 10 5 5 20 
			 Chick Sexer 5 15 * 20 
			 Rail Engineer (Transport/Highway) 15 * 5 20 
			 Martial Arts Coach 10 5 5 15 
			 Racquet Sport Coach 10 5 * 15 
			 Cleaner Of Premises - SBS 15 *  15 
			 Waiting Staff - SBS 15 *  15 
			 Circus Rigger 5 * 5 15 
			 Editor (Music) 5 5 5 15 
			 Rugby Union Coach 5 5 5 15 
			 Water Sports Related Occupation 5 5 5 15 
			 Helicopter Pilot 10 5 5 15 
			 Meat Slaughterer - SBS 15   15 
			 Chef (NVQ2  Below) - SBS 15   15 
			 Fitness Consultant 5 5 5 10 
			 Production Accountant 5 * 5 10 
			 Wrestler 5 5 5 10 
			 Other Occupation-SBS (Gen) 10   10 
			 Lairageman - SBS 10   10 
			 Basketball Coach 5 5 * 10 
			 Magician 5 5 5 10 
			 Commodity Broker * 5 5 10 
			 Other Occupation-SBS (Fish) 10   10 
			 Mc (Master Of Ceremonies)  5 * 10 
			 Boxing Coach 5 5 * 5 
			 Dental Anaesthetist 5 *  5 
			 Not Stated * 5 5 5 
			 Chiropodist/Podiatrist * * * 5 
			 Bar Staff - SBS 5 *  5 
			 Football Manager/Coach * *  5 
			 Room Attendant - SBS 5   5 
			 Rugby League Coach  * * 5 
			 Advocate * *  5 
			 Hockey Coach * *  5 
			 Martial Arts Performer 5   5 
			 Racquet Sport Player * * * 5 
			 Assistant Optometrist  * * * 
			 Gymnast *   * 
			 Ice Hockey Coach  * * * 
			 Kirtan Performer *   * 
			 American Football Tech   * * 
			 Barrister  *  * 
			 Other Occupation - SBS (Meat) *   * 
			 Reception Staff - SBS *   * 
			 Total 30,935 25,975 25,320 82,235 
			  Notes: Figures are rounded to nearest 5. Because of rounding, figures may not add up to totals shown. The figures quoted are not provided under National Statistics protocols and have been derived from local management information and are therefore provisional and subject to change. The occupational categories used are not compatible with those in the Standard Occupational Classification  Caveats: The figures do not equate to the number of individual nationals who were granted permits because they include those applications approved to extend or amend an existing permit or where the individual has moved to another job with a different employer. Not all those who were granted a permit took up the job and some may have been refused entry clearance or further leave to remain.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Security

David Amess: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many  (a) police officers of each rank and  (b) civilian security staff (i) are and (ii) were employed on average in each year since 2001 in (A) the Palace of Westminster and (B) the Parliamentary estate.

Nick Harvey: We do not disclose the exact disposition of our security operation. The security work force is regularly reviewed by the Serjeant at Arms and Black Rod in consultation with the Joint Committee on Security.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Burma: Asylum

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what programmes his Department  (a) has established and  (b) funds to assist Rohingya refugees from Myanmar.

Michael Foster: The Department for International Development (DFID) has not established any programmes or provided funding specifically to assist Rohingya refugees. We do, however, provide assistance to the refugees indirectly through our contributions to the European Commission and to United Nations organisations which have programmes to support Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.
	We are also helping to meet the humanitarian needs of Rohingya people living in Burma's northern Rakhine State through our contributions to multi-donor programmes which operate across the country. These include a UNICEF fund for primary education and the Three Diseases Fund which was set up to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in Burma.

Departmental Manpower

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 1003-4W, on departmental manpower, whether the Department publicises staff numbers for country offices not assessed by the National Audit Office report of October 2008 as insecure; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The Department for International Development (DFID) no longer publicises staff numbers for country offices, irrespective of whether they were assessed by the National Audit Office in October 2008.

Overseas Aid: Finance

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the recession on his Department's budgets for  (a) bilateral and  (b) multilateral assistance.

Douglas Alexander: Plans for the Department for International Development's (DFID) bilateral and multilateral assistance over the three years 2008-09 to 2010-11 were published in May 2008 in DFID's 2008 annual report. Any revisions to those allocation plans in the light of the changed economic situation will be published in DFID's 2009 annual report.

COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Agriculture: Planning Permission

James Paice: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many planning applications have been granted on farmland in England classified as  (a) grade 1 (excellent),  (b) grade 2 (very good),  (c) grade 3a (good),  (d) grade 3b (moderate),  (e) grade 4 (poor) and  (f) grade 5 (very poor) in each of the last 10 years.

Iain Wright: The information requested is not held centrally. Communities and Local Government collects quarterly summary statistics on development control from all local planning authorities in England. However, we do not collect information on individual planning applications.

Christmas

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether it is her Department's policy to offer staff  (a) additional leave entitlement for Christmas shopping and  (b) Christmas bonus payments.

Sadiq Khan: The Department does not have any policies regarding additional leave entitlement for Christmas shopping or Christmas bonus payments.

Community Relations

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 582-83W, on community relations, 
	(1)  what steps her Department has taken in response to the observations on page 6 of the report on the learning and development exercise issued by the Audit Commission and Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary;
	(2)  how many local authorities have selected National Indicator 35 as part of their local area agreements; and when local authorities are due to report on progress against that indicator in respect of work done under the Prevent strand of Project Contest in 2008.

Sadiq Khan: In responding to the observations in the Preventing Violent Extremism: Learning and Development Exercise report relating to assessing success, my Department has responded by commissioning research from the Tavistock Institute and De Montfort University to investigate the national and international contributing factors to violent extremism. On 10 December 2008 the Secretary of State announced that we would be working to establish a national 'centre of excellence' that local areas can access for practical advice on Prevent; and we have published guidance produced jointly between Communities and Local Government, the Home Office and the Office for Public Management to assist local authorities and the police in reporting outcomes linked to National Indicator 35 (NI 35). Currently 19 local authorities have selected NI 35 as a priority indicator as part of their local area agreements. Progress against NI 35 for 2008-09 will be reported from April 2009.

Community Relations

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer of 16 December 2008,  Official Report, columns 583-84W, on community relations, how many area-based grants have been made by her Department; which other departments have made area-based grants; and how much her Department has spent on area-based grants in each year since 2006.

Sadiq Khan: Area Based Grant was introduced in April 2008 and is a single grant paid to local authorities. Details of all area based grant allocations made for 2008-09 and 2009-10 are available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localgovernmentfinance/areabasedgrant/

Community Relations

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to her Department's report Preventing violent extremism: next steps for communities, how much of the 80 million for community-led work to tackle violent extremism will be allocated to  (a) national projects,  (b) the Community Leadership Fund and  (c) local authorities in (i) 2008-09, (ii) 2009-10 and (iii) 2010-11.

Sadiq Khan: Our overall budget for this Comprehensive Spending Review period (2008-11) is 84.5 million (20.5 million/27.5 million/36.5 million). Over the CSR period, 45 million of this funding will be paid through the area based grant to local authorities, and 5.1 million will be allocated through the community leadership fund.
	The Department has budgeted to spend 8.5 million on Prevent related projects in the financial year 2008-09. The budget allocation split for the following two years 2009-11 has not yet been finalised, but we expect to support national projects in a number of areas including: theological understanding; building community resilience; engaging and empowering young Muslims and Muslim women; local partnerships and delivery; faith institutions; campaigns; and research and evaluation.

Community Relations: Finance

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how the 79 priority local authorities provided with 12 million under the Prevent strand of Project Contest in 2008-09 were selected; how much each one received in 2008-09; and what mechanisms are in place to assess whether measures implemented by these local authorities are effective;
	(2)  how the priority local authorities selected to receive funding from the 33 million left to be distributed to priority local authorities under the Prevent strand of Project Contest for April 2008 to March 2011 were selected by her Department; how much each will receive; and what mechanisms are in place to assess whether measures implemented by these local authorities are effective.

Sadiq Khan: Local authorities will be assessed from April 2008 using National Indicator 35 (NI35), and through the comprehensive area assessment which will begin in April 2009. Details of all area based grant allocations made from April 2008 to March 2011 are available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/localgovernment/localgovernmentfinance/areabasedgrant/
	The local authorities provided with Prevent funding over the period 2008-11 have been selected based on the size of their Muslim population. This is to enable them to work with those most vulnerable to violent extremism and to build the resilience in those communities where it is most needed.

Community Relations: Islam

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Answer of 5 February 2008,  Official Report, columns 1425-6W, on community relations: Islam, whether the Young Muslim Advisory Group has been established for a fixed time period; and for how long she expects her Department to monitor the group's progress.

Sadiq Khan: The Young Muslim Advisory Group (YMAG) has been established for a period of two years, ending in September 2010. The YMAG's progress will be monitored throughout this time by both the Department for Communities and Local Government and the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Council Housing: Construction

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities which have transferred their housing stock to a housing association are permitted to build new council housing.

Iain Wright: Local authorities which have transferred all their housing stock could build council housing if they consider that they have the necessary skills to develop, have resources available, and can do this efficiently and provide value for money.

Council Housing: Rents

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what  (a) methodology and  (b) formula is used to calculate changes in (i) council house rent and (ii) housing subsidy to each local authority area.

Iain Wright: The methodology and formula used to calculate changes in council house rents, and housing subsidy for each local authority, are set out in the annual Housing Revenue Account (HRA) subsidy determination which is available on the Department's website at
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/housing/hrasubsidydeterminations0910
	I have arranged for a copy of the 2009-10 determination to be placed in the Library of the House.

Council Housing: Tenants' Rights

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment she has made of the effect on a local authority tenants' risk of eviction of the practice of including utility bills in rent for the purposes of claiming rent arrears; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Department has not made an assessment of whether the inclusion of utilities within rent payments may increase the risk of eviction. Tenancy agreements should make clear what services are included within the rent.
	CLG have issued guidance which makes clear we expect social landlords to maintain and sustain tenancies wherever possible, focusing on preventative approaches rather than eviction. The basic principles underpinning effective arrears management are well established but in these difficult economic times they become even more important.

Council Tax

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make it her policy to implement a council tax freeze in England.

Sadiq Khan: No.

Council Tax

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance she has issued to local authorities on the procedure to be followed in setting  (a) a budget and  (b) a council tax rate in circumstances where the council is unable to agree on a budget.

John Healey: The Local Government Finance Act 1992 sets out provisions under which billing authorities are legally required to set their  (a) budget requirement and  (b) council tax rate for the financial year. Communities and Local Government does not provide guidance in situations where a council is unable to agree a budget.

Departmental Buildings

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ilford North (Mr. Scott) of 26 January 2009,  Official Report, column 106W, on departmental buildings, under what budgetary heading the expenditure referred to in the table was incurred in the most recent year for which audited figures are available; and in respect of which locations such expenditure was incurred.

Sadiq Khan: The figures quoted in the table are in the consolidated 2007-08 Departmental Resource Accounts, published on 21 July 2008, and are included under the budgetary headings; Other Administration Costs, Other Expenditure, Accommodation shown in Note 9 (page 53) and Programme Costs, Other Expenditure, Accommodation shown in Note 10 (page 54). The expenditure was incurred in Central London, Bristol, Hemel Hempstead and Uttoxeter.

Departmental Data Protection

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what IT security strategy her Department has in place; what steps are being taken to ensure the strategy is being followed; what policy is in place on the use of encryption when data are sent externally; and what sanctions are in place for use should the policy not be followed.

Sadiq Khan: Information is a key asset to Government and its correct handling is vital to the delivery of public services and to the integrity of HMG. The Security Policy Framework, the Data Handling Report and the National Information Assurance Strategy produced by the Cabinet Office provide a strategic framework for protecting information that Government handles and put in place a set of mandatory measures which Departments must adhere to.
	The Department for Communities and Local Government is compliant with the security policies contained in the Government Security Policy Framework including those for information security and assurance.
	Depending upon the circumstances, a range of sanctions are available including disciplinary or administrative action, and in extreme or persistent cases, termination of employment/services and, if appropriate, criminal proceedings.

Departmental Data Protection

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether her Department uses WPA2 encryption protocol on all its wireless networks.

Sadiq Khan: Communities and Local Government follows CESG guidance on the use of the Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2) communications security protocols in order to protect wireless networks carrying protectively marked (up to RESTRICTED/IL3) traffic. The configuration and operation standards for WPA2 are set out in CESG's Infosec Manual Y, Use of WPA2 Wireless Security in Government Systems.

Departmental Data Protection

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what auditing her Department undertakes to ensure that IT security policies are being followed; and on how many occasions  (a) IT security policies have been breached by employees and  (b) a member of staff has been sanctioned for a breach of such policies in the last 12 months.

Sadiq Khan: Compliance arrangements are in place comprising a system of self assessment, accreditation, assurance reporting, audit and review. Additionally, any security incidents are notified to the IT security manager and departmental IT security officer; and a monthly report is compiled by the service provider, Steria Ltd. These reports show that IT security policies have been broken by CLG employees on three occasions in the past 12 months. In each case the breach was of a minor nature and staff were advised accordingly. Regular daytime security checks are also carried out, to identify unattended PCs that may not have been locked; where these are found guidance has been issued to staff.

Departmental Data Protection

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  if she will place in the Library a copy of her Department's IT security hierarchy;
	(2)  what scanning for vulnerabilities her Department conducts of each of its IT devices; what method is used for IT device scans; and how many vulnerabilities have been detected as a result of such scans in the last 12 months.

Sadiq Khan: It is not in the interest of the security of the Department, or that of the public, to disclose detailed information pertaining to electronic breaches of security of Department's IT systems. Disclosing such information would enable criminals and those who would attempt to cause disruptive threats to the Department to deduce how to conduct attacks and therefore potentially enhance their capability to carry out such attacks.

Departmental Data Protection

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) of 11 February 2009,  Official Report, column 2063W, on departmental data protection, what dataset the Department has backed up in the United States.

Sadiq Khan: The Public Inquiry Service Database is hosted in the USA and stores approximately 4,000 records.

Departmental Public Appointments

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information her Department holds on the number of persons appointed to executive positions in bodies for which her Department has responsibility in the last five years who previously had careers in the banking industry.

Sadiq Khan: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Surveys

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much her Department spent on staff surveys in each of the last five years; and which company was contracted to conduct each such survey.

Sadiq Khan: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given to the hon. Member for Upper Bann (David Simpson) on 26 June 2007,  Official Report, column 631W, to the hon. Member for Fareham (Mr. Hoban) on 29 November 2007,  Official Report, column 681W and to the right hon. Member for Maidenhead (Mrs. May) on 8 July 2008,  Official Report, column 1500W. In addition, Ipsos MORI have been paid 16,520 plus VAT to date for the CLG Pulse Survey 2008. ORC International is currently undertaking a second pilot employee engagement survey as part of a wider survey being led by the Cabinet Office. No payments have been made to date. Cost information for the 2005 and 2006 ODPM surveys, which were also undertaken by ORC International, is not held in the format requested and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Empty Property

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many  (a) private and  (b) public sector domestic dwellings were empty in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Iain Wright: Estimates of the number of private and public sector domestic empty dwellings, as at April 2008, are shown in the following table. The term public sector has been interpreted to mean social rented dwellings i.e. local authority and registered social landlord owned dwellings.
	
		
			   Number of vacant dwelling 
			 Total vacant dwellings 762,640 
			 Local authority 36,940 
			 Registered social landlords 29,240 
			 Private sector 696,450 
			  Sources: Council taxbase and council taxbase supplementary (CTB1 and CTB1S) returns from local authorities for 17 September 2007; housing strategy statistical appendix (HSSA) submitted to Communities and Local Government by local authorities for 1 April 2008; Regulatory statistical return (RSR) as reported to the Housing Corporation by registered social landlords for 31 March 2008. 
		
	
	Total vacant dwellings reported by local authorities through council taxbase returns include long term and short term empty dwellings and second homes. Figures for registered social landlords are for self-contained general needs units only. Estimates for private sector vacant dwellings have been made by deducting local authority and RSL vacant dwellings from the total. This estimate will include a small number of other public sector vacant dwellings.

Empty Property

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what figures her Department collects on the number of vacant  (a) private and  (b) public sector homes in each local authority area.

Iain Wright: Vacant stock at district level is collected from a variety of sources:
	The number of local authority owned vacant dwellings and the number of 'other public sector' (other than local authority and RSL) vacant dwellings is obtained from the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) and the HRA Business Planning Statistical Appendix (BPSA) submitted to CLG by local authorities.
	The number of registered social landlords (RSLs) owned vacant dwellings is obtained from the Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR) submitted to the Tenants Services Authority by RSLs.
	An estimate of the number of private sector vacant dwellings is obtained by subtracting the number of local authority owned, RSL owned and 'other public sector' vacant dwellings from the total number of vacant dwellings obtained from council tax records submitted to CLG by local authorities on CTB1 and CTBS1 returns.
	Figures on council tax vacants can be found at
	http://www.local.communities.gov.uk/finance/stats/ctbase.htm,
	and data on stock and vacants for local authorities and RSLs can be found at
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/housing/housingresearch/housingstatistics/housingstatisticsby/stockincludingvacants/livetables/.
	At regional level, additional information on the age, type and condition of vacant stock is available from the English House Condition Survey (EHCS).

Empty Property

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what information the National Register of Social Housing holds on the property characteristics of empty public sector dwellings.

Iain Wright: The National Register of Social Housing collects the same data on vacant dwellings as it does on occupied dwellings. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 6 October 2008,  Official Report, column 335W.

Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which organisations have received funding under the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund to date; and what the  (a) purpose and  (b) monetary value of the grant was in each case.

Sadiq Khan: The Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund was distributed over the three years 2004-05 to 2007-08, in two rounds of funding. I have placed in the Library a list showing each organisation that received funding, the amount awarded and the purpose.
	The fund had two categories: capacity building and inter faith activity. The purpose of the capacity building category was to help build the organisational capabilities of faith-based organisations, enabling them to play a fuller part in civil society by engaging more effectively with public authorities. Capacity building for the large grants was subdivided into three categories: leadership and management; relationships with local, regional or national Government; and mentoring smaller faith organisations. The purpose of the inter faith category was to improve cohesion between different faith groups and the wider community, thereby bringing people of different faiths together to promote mutual understanding, respect and co-operation.

Fire Services: Contracts

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Hurd) of 26 January 2009,  Official Report, column 108W, on fire services: contracts, in what Government Office regions contracts have been signed for the regional fire control rooms; and in which Government Office regions and for what services contracts have not been signed.

Sadiq Khan: All major contracts with third party suppliers have now been signed.
	In eight out of the nine Government office regions, regional control centre buildings have been built and leases have been signed. Three of these leases (in the north east, East Midlands and north west regions) have been assigned to the local authority controlled companies which will operate them. It is intended to assign the remaining leases, currently held by my Department, to the relevant local authority controlled company in due course.
	In London, where the building is on track to be completed by February 2010, it is intended that the lease will be held by the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority.
	The Facilities Management contract has been signed for all the buildings.
	There is a single IT contract for FiReControl between my Department and EADS Defence and Security which covers all Government office regions.

Fire Services: Working Hours

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether the provisions of the EU Working Time Directive rules would apply to retained fire-fighters in the event of a fire service strike.

Sadiq Khan: Yes. Those provisions include the right of individuals to opt out of the average weekly 48-hour limit on their working time.

Homebuy Scheme

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  which organisations participating in the Government's Homebuy programme offer 100 per cent. mortgages to purchasers; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  in which Homebuy schemes are potential homeowners permitted to seek a 100 per cent. mortgage.

Iain Wright: The Government wish to offer every household the opportunity of sustainable home ownership. The Homebuy programme, which offers assistance on a shared ownership or shared equity basis, requires prospective purchasers to secure a mortgage from a conventional lender, registered with the Financial Services Authority, for their share of the purchase, which is less than 100 per cent. of the property value. It is for individual lenders to decide the level of mortgage they provide on this share.

Homelessness: Greater London

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Leeds North-West (Greg Mullholland) of 24 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 545-56W, on homelessness, if she will provide figures equivalent to those in the table for each London borough; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: Information about English local housing authorities' actions under the homelessness legislation (part 7 of the Housing Act 1996) is collected quarterly at local authority level. Data collected include the number of applicants accepted by local housing authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty (to secure that suitable accommodation is available). These households are known as 'accepted' households.
	In addition, some applicants may be found to be in priority need, but are not accepted as owed a main homelessness duty because they were found to be intentionally homeless. For these cases we do not hold the reason for priority need centrally.
	Figures reported by each London local authority, for the last six month, 12 month and two year periods, are provided in a table which has been placed in the Library. These show the number of applicants who were: (a) assessed as being homeless and in priority need; of which those (b) accepted as owed a main homelessness duty; and of which those that were (c) vulnerable though (i) having served in HM forces, (ii) having been on remand or in custody, and (iii) being a former asylum seeker (since April 2000, asylum seekers have been ineligible for assistance under the homelessness legislation, with certain exceptions where an asylum claim had been made prior to 3 April 2000).
	However, it is important to note that some applicants who had previously been in the HM forces, on remand or in custody, or are a former asylum seeker, may have been accepted with alternative primary priority needs (for example through having dependent children or being a pregnant woman) and so will not be shown as being priority need for these reasons.

Housing North West

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to Lord Greaves of 23 February 2009,  Official Report, House of Lords, column 17WA, on Housing North West, in which other Government Office regions in England regional partnerships have been established.

Iain Wright: None of the Government Office regions have regional housing partnerships similar to the North West, although there are regional partnerships in London and the West Midlands.
	In London the Mayor has established the Mayor's Housing Forum (MHF). The primary role of the MHF is to act as an advisory body to the Mayor in the development of the Mayor's Housing Strategy and its implementation. It also aims to share information and develop ideas about key housing issues in London and to receive and consider key documentation on research, strategies and policy initiatives; and the relevant strategies of member organisations.
	The MHF is chaired by the Mayor's Office and the Greater London authority provides the secretariat. The MHF meets quarterly.
	In the West Midlands there are a series of three interrelated voluntary partnerships, who work together to deliver on the housing agenda.
	Strategic Advisory Panel, which provides a wide forum for planning, environment and housing policy issues to be debated.
	Regional housing executive oversees the development and delivery of the regional housing strategy, and recommends investment in line with the regional housing strategy.
	West Midlands Regional Housing Advisory Forum; this is an officer-led partnership group, which supports the activities of the regional housing executive.
	The partnerships are all voluntary and receive no funding.

Housing: Construction

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the proposed targets are for the number of new dwellings to be built in the most recent draft of each regional spatial strategy; and over what period those targets apply in each case.

Iain Wright: The following information provides by region the proposed targets for the number of new dwellings to be built annually in the most recent RSSs; and the plan period they cover.
	 North East
	7,425 new dwellings per year until 2021
	 North West
	23,111 new dwellings per year until 2021
	 Yorkshire and Humber
	22,260 new dwellings per year until 2026
	 West Midlands
	18,280 new dwellings per year until 2026
	 East Midlands
	20,418 new dwellings per year until 2026
	 East of England
	26,830 new dwellings per year until 2021
	 South West
	20,200 new dwelling per year until 2016
	 South East
	28,904 new dwellings per year until 2026

Housing: Construction

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what requirements there are on local authorities to complete strategic housing land availability assessments; and what the timetable for their completion is in each Government Office region.

Iain Wright: Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3) says that Local Development Documents and Regional Spatial Strategies should be informed by a robust, shared evidence base including a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). The table has been deposited in the Library showing the latest information we have on when local authorities completed or expect to complete their SHLAA. This information was provided by local authorities in April 2008 to inform payments of the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant. The South East, South West and North West regions updated their information in February 2009. We will be updating all our information on the completion of SHLAAs within the next few months to inform the next round of the Housing and Planning Delivery Grant.

Affordable Housing

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much funding her Department has allocated for affordable housing in West Lancashire constituency in the next three years.

Iain Wright: The Homes and Communities Agency has made allocations in the 2008-11 affordable housing programme of 3.016 million in West Lancashire. In addition 0.618 million has been allocated for Homebuy Direct.

Land: Databases

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government which public bodies will have access to  (a) Ordnance Survey,  (b) Landmark and  (c) Dotted Eyes geographic data under the Pan-Government Agreement.

Sadiq Khan: All members of the Pan-Government Agreement for geographic data will have access to products provided by both Ordnance Survey and the Landmark-Dotted Eyes consortium from 1 April 2009.
	The 96 members will be:
	4NW
	Advantage West Midlands
	Amgueddfa CymruNational Museum Wales
	Arts Council of Wales
	Audit Commission
	Boundary Commission for Wales
	British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)
	British Geological Survey (BGS)
	Potato Council Ltd.
	British Waterways
	Cabinet Office
	Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH)
	Charity Commission
	Church Commissioners
	Coal Authority (The)
	Commission for Rural Communities
	Communities and Local Government
	Consumer Council for Water
	Consumer Focus
	Countryside Council for Wales (CCW)
	Crown Estate (The)
	Defence Estates (DE)
	Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (DBERR)
	Department for Children, Schools and Families
	Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
	Department for Transport (DfT)
	Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
	Department of Health (DH)
	East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA)
	East Midlands Regional Assembly
	East of England Development Agency
	East of England Regional Assembly
	Electoral Commission (The)
	English Heritage
	Homes and Communities Agency
	Environment Agency (EA)
	Food Standards Agency (The)
	Forensic Intelligence Bureau
	Forestry Commission
	Government Offices Regional Coordination Unit (RCU)
	Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
	Health Protection Agency
	Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
	Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
	Highways Agency
	Home Office
	House of Commons Library
	Information Centre for Health and Social Care
	Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC)
	Land Registry
	Local Government Boundary Commission for Wales
	London Thames Gateway Development Corporation
	Maritime and Coastguard Agency
	Met Office
	Ministry of Defence
	Ministry of Justice
	National Assembly for Wales Parliamentary Service
	National Audit Office
	National Housing and Planning Advice Unit
	National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA)
	Natural England
	NHS Connecting for Health
	NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service
	North East Regional Assembly
	North West Regional Development Agency
	Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA)
	Office for National Statistics (ONS)
	Office of Communications (Ofcom)
	Office of Government Commerce (OGC)
	Oil and Pipelines Agency
	Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA)
	One North East
	Planning Portal
	Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW)
	Royal Parks (The)
	Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA)
	South East England Development Agency (SEEDA)
	South East England Regional Assembly
	South West Observatory
	South West Regional Assembly
	South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA)
	Sport England
	Sports Council for Wales
	Tenant Services Authority
	The National Library of Wales
	Training and Development Agency for Schools
	Tribunals Service
	UK Border Agency
	Valuation Office Agency (VOA)
	Wales Audit Office
	Wales Centre for Health (WCfH)
	Welsh Assembly Government
	Welsh Health Estates
	West Midlands Regional Assembly
	Yorkshire and Humber Assembly
	Yorkshire Forward

Legal Opinion

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Grant Shapps) of 29 January 2009,  Official Report, column 641W, on legal opinion, on what topics external legal advice was commissioned in 2007-08.

Sadiq Khan: External legal advice has been commissioned on the following topics;
	Fire Control Project
	Housing Mobility Project
	General Minor Legal Expenses
	Geographic Data Licensing Project
	Firelink Project
	Commission for Equality and Human Rights Setup Project
	Fire Research Project
	It Services Outsourcing Project
	Planning Portal Project
	Housing Information Pack Register Project
	Land Registry Fees
	Gypsy and Traveller Sites Grant Project
	Green Flag Project
	A detailed breakdown of this list could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Licensed Premises: Planning Permission

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the recent Planning Inspectorate ruling in relation to Brighton and Hove Council and patio heaters outside licensed premises.

Iain Wright: A copy of the Inspector's decision has been placed in the Library. It is also publicly available through the Planning Portal website:
	www.planningportal.gov.uk
	decision reference 2081980.

Local Government

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the presentation and handouts provided for the Strategy Unit seminar of 26 January 2009 by the chairman of the Tenant Services Authority on the subject Where next for local government?

Iain Wright: The Strategy Unit seminar Where next for local government? is being rescheduled and new dates are yet to be confirmed. As the event is yet to be scheduled, the TSA have not prepared any materials for circulation. Further information about the Strategy Unit and their programme of seminars can be found on the Strategy Unit website at:
	http://www.cabinetofiice.gov.uk/strategy.aspx

Local Government Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government when she plans to publish the consultation document on local spending reports under the Sustainable Communities Act 2007.

John Healey: The consultation document on local spending reports was published on 20 February 2009. Copies have been placed in the Library of the House.

Local Government Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has issued on the interest rate to be used when local authorities repay overpaid  (a) fees,  (b) charges and  (c) taxes.

John Healey: The basis for repayments of amounts overpaid in relation to fees and charges and to council tax is not set out in guidance issued by the Department.

Local Government Finance

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local authorities have met the Government's target to pay invoices within 10 days.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the right hon. Member for East Yorkshire (Mr. Knight) on 12 January 2009,  Official Report, column 242W.

Local Government: Bank Services

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will seek information from local authorities on advice they received from Butlers in relation to the depositing of funds in Icelandic banks.

John Healey: Decisions on investment policy are a matter for individual authorities who must have regard to investment guidance issued by my Department.

Local Government: Bank Services

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood (Mr. Pickles) and Ongar of 17 October 2008,  Official Report, column 1577W, on local government: bank services, what information  (a) her Department and  (b) the Audit Commission received from (i) the Financial Services Authority, (ii) the Bank of England and (iii) HM Treasury on the level of risk associated with investment in Icelandic banks before October 2008.

John Healey: On part  (a), my Department did not receive, nor would we expect to have received, information from any source on the Icelandic banks. As the Department's investment guidance, published in 2004, makes very clear investment decisions are a matter for the local authorities concerned,
	On part  (b) the Audit Commission has confirmed that it did not receive, nor would expect to receive, information from the sources named in the question regarding investments in Icelandic banks.

Local Government: Pay

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether local authorities are required to report the pay scales of senior council officers in their Statement of Accounts.

John Healey: Local authorities are currently required to report the number of staff earning over 50,000 per annum in their annual accounts.

Local Government: Pensions

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of all governance compliance statements and general governance statements requested from Local Government Pension Scheme administration authorities and held by the Workforce Pay and Pensions Division of her Department.

John Healey: The Department does not at present hold copies of all of the governance statements. Once we have received all of the statements we will be publishing a report on our website. Copies can be obtained from each administering authority who are in any event required to publish them.

Local Government: Pensions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the name and address is of each administrator of each individual fund within the Local Government Pension Scheme; and which local authorities are members of each individual fund.

John Healey: The pension manager of each fund is designated as the relevant administrator of each of the eighty-nine Local Government Pension Scheme funds in England and Wales. Contact details can be found at:
	www.lge.gov.uk/lge/core.
	Schedule 4, parts 1 and 2, of the Local Government Pension Scheme (Administration) Regulations 2008 set out the requirements on which individual fund, employers contribute to their respective pension funds. Details of these employers are not held centrally.

Local Government: Pensions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  which councillors are members of the Local Government Pension Scheme in their capacities as councillors;
	(2)  whether councillor members of joint waste authorities are eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme in their capacity as members of such authorities; and what powers such authorities have to admit them to membership.

John Healey: Only elected members of a district council, county council or London borough council are defined as eligible members for the purpose of access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
	Decisions on access for councillors to the scheme are made by each local authority in the light of recommendations from its independent remuneration panel. There is no requirement to provide details to the Department of who has taken up any subsequent right of access.

Local Government: Pensions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations she has received from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy on amendments to the Local Government Pension Scheme rules to allow greater discretion to local authority investment managers; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: A copy of CIPFA's report Local Government Pension Scheme Investment Regulations: Options for Change was submitted to the Department on 27 January. The report will be treated as a response to the current statutory consultation exercise on the consolidation of the scheme's investment regulations, which is due to close on 3 April 2009.
	We will consider its recommendations carefully.

Local Government: Pensions

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what representations she has received from the Local Government Association on the retirement age for the Local Government Pension Scheme; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: The Local Government Association recently expressed its support to see an increase in the scheme's retirement age from 65, as part of a response made by the Local Government Employers to a statutory consultation exercise on proposals to introduce cost-share arrangements in the Local Government Pension Scheme later this year.

Mortgages

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to the right hon. Member for Oldham West and Royton (Mr. Meacher), of 12 February 2009,  Official Report, column 2219W, on mortgages, how many and what proportion of mortgages were in each list house price to income ratio bracket in each year for which data are available.

Iain Wright: This information is not collected by Communities and Local Government. However for the UK we have made the following estimates based on data from the Regulated Mortgage Survey and the Council of Mortgage Lenders.
	
		
			  Number of mortgages for house purchase by price to income ratio, UK 
			   House price to income ratio 
			   Less than or equal to 6  Greater than 6 but no more than 8  Greater than 8  but no more than 10  Greater than 10  Total 
			 1997 1,050,746 31,656 11,230 9,963 1,103,595 
			 1998 1,030,377 35,115 11,600 11,179 1,088,271 
			 1999 1,179,639 44,620 15,464 14,175 1,253,898 
			 2000 1,043,624 47,181 16,815 15,341 1,122,960 
			 2001 1,207,137 64,580 21,093 20,901 1,313,711 
			 2002 1,249,509 89,449 30,076 27,761 1,396,795 
			 2003 1,025,385 130,147 50,201 46,184 1,251,917 
			 2004 935,632 174,841 71,398 62,931 1,244,801 
			 2005 798,731 124,523 49,157 42,310 1,014,722 
			 2006 924,932 120,789 42,352 37,937 1,126,010 
			 2007 819,298 117,305 42,241 37,555 1,016,400 
			 2008 410,779 62,897 22,513 20,111 516,300 
		
	
	
		
			  Proportion of mortgages for house purchase by price to income ratio, UK 
			   House price to income ratio 
			   Less than or equal to 6  Greater than 6 but no more than 8  Greater than 8 but no more than 10  Greater than 10  Total 
			 1997 95.2 2.9 1.0 0.9 100 
			 1998 94.7 3.2 1.1 1.0 100 
			 1999 94.1 3.6 1.2 1.1 100 
			 2000 92.9 4.2 1.5 1.4 100 
			 2001 91.9 4.9 1.6 1.6 100 
			 2002 89.5 6.4 2.2 2.0 100 
			 2003 81.9 10.4 4.0 3.7 100 
			 2004 75.2 14.0 5.7 5.1 100 
			 2005 78.7 12.3 4.8 4.2 100 
			 2006 82.1 10.7 3.8 3.4 100 
			 2007 80.6 11.5 4.2 3.7 100 
			 2008 79.6 12.2 4.4 3.9 100 
			  Source: Regulated Mortgage Survey and Council of Mortgage Lenders

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the cost to the public purse of the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme in each of the next two years.

Margaret Beckett: We are currently working with lenders to agree the Master Guarantee for the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme, which we expect to be open for business with the first lenders in April. We will publish a full impact assessment when the Master Guarantee Deed has been finalised.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what progress has been made on the implementation of the Homeowner Mortgage Support Scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: We are making good progress on the implementation of the Homeowner Mortgage Support scheme and expect the scheme to be open for business with the first lenders in April now that the Banking Act, which is the legislative vehicle we have used to enable us to do this, has gained Royal Assent (12 February). We are now working with a wider group of lenders to finalise the scheme implementation plans and agree the draft Master Guarantee.

Multiple Occupation: Fire Prevention

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of enforcement of fire regulations in former guest houses and hotels in seaside towns which are now used as houses of multiple occupation.

Sadiq Khan: The Department has worked closely with LACORS (Local Authority Co-ordinators of Regulatory Services), the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health and the Chief Fire Officers Association who published guidance on fire safety provisions for certain types of existing housing, including houses in multiple occupation. This can be found on the LACORS website:
	www.lacors.gov.uk
	The Department has commissioned an initial evaluation of the effectiveness of fire safety legislation, the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005. This includes the perspective of the responsible persons, the enforcing authorities and the fire industry. We will publish the outcome of this evaluation shortly and will put a copy in the House of Commons Library.

National Community Forum

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of the minutes of each meeting of the National Community Forum's board in the last 12 months.

Sadiq Khan: In the past 12 months the National Community Forum has held three meetings. The meetings were held in April 2008 (quarterly meeting), October 2008(annual residential meeting) and January 2009 (sub-groups meeting). I have placed copies of the minutes in the Library.

Non-Domestic Rates: Business

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) of 20 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1277W, on non-domestic rates: business, whether the business rate multiplier will be reduced in April 2010 if retail price index inflation in September 2009 is negative.

John Healey: If the retail price index inflation in September 2009 is negative it will have a reducing impact on the multiplier for 2010-11.

Non-Domestic Rates: Business

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what additional levy there is on top of the standard business rates bill in each business improvement district which has been established.

John Healey: The Department does not collect this information, as businesses within the BID area decide on the amount of the levy and vote in a ballot on whether the scheme should go ahead. The size and calculation of the BID levy varies widely between BIDs. The levy is collected by the billing authority and held in a separate BIDs Revenue Account where it is ring-fenced and can only be used for the BID.

Non-Domestic Rates: Business

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much she estimates will be raised from business rates in  (a) England and  (b) Wales in (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09 and (iii) 2009-10.

John Healey: For England, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) on 19 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1081W.
	Business rates in Wales are the responsibility of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Non-Domestic Rates: Empty Property

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to the Answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 3 November 2008,  Official Report, column 132W, on small business: tax allowances, whether empty property below the appropriate rateable value threshold is automatically billed at the small business rate multiplier rate.

John Healey: No, small business rate relief applies to occupied properties only.

Non-Domestic Rates: Greater London

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Robert Neill) of 14 January 2009,  Official Report, column 1278W, on non-domestic rates: Greater London, when such sub-location codes were first used in a rates revaluation.

John Healey: 1995.

Non-Domestic Rates: Ports

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment has been made of the effect of changes to business rates in ports on  (a) yacht clubs and  (b) fishing companies located within the curtilages of ports.

John Healey: There has not been a specific assessment of the impact of the review of business rates in ports on yacht clubs or fishing companies.

Non-Domestic Rates: Valuation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what each of the classifications is of the codes used by the Valuation Office Agency to group properties for sub-locations.

John Healey: There is no classification of the codes used by the VOA to group properties for sub-locations. The sub-location codes are simply unique labels for a particular category of property having similar characteristics.

Owner Occupation

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many householders were owner occupiers owning their home  (a) outright and  (b) with a mortgage in each of the last 30 years.

Iain Wright: The information requested is not readily available for the United Kingdom.
	Estimates of the number of owner occupying households in England who were  (a) outright owners and  (b) buying with a mortgage are set out in the following table. Estimates are available for 1981, 1984, 1988 and all years from 1991 onwards.
	
		
			  Households in owner occupation: England 19812008 
			  Thousands of households 
			   Owner occupiers 
			   Own outright  Buying with a mortgage  All owner occupiers 
			 1981 4,313 5,546 9,860 
			 1984 4,590 6,399 10,990 
			 1988 4,834 7,414 12,248 
			 1991 4,795 8,255 13,050 
			 1992 4,815 8,255 13,069 
			 1993 4,898 8,382 13,280 
			 1994 5,008 8,421 13,429 
			 1995 4,998 8,468 13,467 
			 1996 5,115 8,407 13,521 
			 1997 5,249 8,380 13,629 
			 1998 5,404 8,413 13,817 
			 1999 5,582 8,508 14,091 
			 2000 5,764 8,575 14,339 
			 2001 5,885 8,473 14,358 
			 2002 6,019 8,540 14,559 
			 2003 6,158 8,542 14,701 
			 2004 6,288 8,389 14,677 
			 2005 6,352 8,440 14,791 
			 2006 6,425 8,365 14,790 
			 2007 6,505 8,228 14,733 
			 2008 6,653 7,975 14,628 
			  Sources: 1981 to 1991: DOE Labour Force Survey Housing Trailer 1992 to 2008: ONS Labour Force Survey.

Planning Permission

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what guidance her Department has provided to local authorities on  (a) predetermination and  (b) predisposition in respect of planning decisions.

Iain Wright: Every local authority is required to adopt a code of conduct that sets out rules governing the behaviour of its members. The Standards Board for England, sponsored by Communities and Local Government, is responsible for promoting and improving the ethical behaviour of local authorities and their members. It publishes a range of guidance documents to help local authorities and their members interpret the code of conduct, including the revised Code of ConductA Guide for Members, published in May 2007. In August 2007, the Board published an Occasional Paper, Predisposition, Pre-determination and the Code, to help clarify the issues of predetermination and bias.
	In October 2008, Communities and Local Government issued Guidance on Planning and Propriety Issues, which deals with the propriety issues that can arise in connection with the Secretary of State exercising decision-making functions under the Town and Country Planning Acts.

Planning Permission

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what changes have been made to the period before expiry of planning permissions since 1997; and what representations her Department has received on extending this period in the last six months.

Iain Wright: Since 2005, under a provision in the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, the default period for the implementation of a planning permission has been three years. The Act also amended primary legislation so that a planning permission could no longer be extended by an application to vary a condition. The Department has received representations in the last six months on extending the period before the expiry of planning permissions from the Local Government Association, the Confederation of British Industry and the British Property Federation.

Planning Permission

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what use her Department and its predecessors have made of special development orders since May 1997.

Iain Wright: There have been two special development orders made in England since 1997. These were the Town and Country Planning (London Borough of Camden) Special Development Order 2004 (SI 2004/1231) and the Town and Country Planning (London Borough of Camden) Special Development (Amendment) Order 2004 (SI 2004/2355). The first order made provision for publicity for some planning applications (within the designated area) to be advertised on the internet. The amending order made an alteration as to compliance within the 21 day period for the display of notices, where notices are removed, obscured or defaced.

Planning Permission: Fees and Charges

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government for what reasons the construction of fishing lakes is classified as mineral extraction for the purposes of planning fees and charges.

Iain Wright: Where the proposed fishing lake to be constructed is part of an aftercare condition attached to a permission for mineral extraction, a planning application fee would be charged under Category 9 (a) (fees category for mineral extraction) of Schedule 1, Part 2 of the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2008). The mineral planning authority may also charge a fee for site visits to monitor the mineral permission during the aftercare period.

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what consideration she has given to the sale to the private sector of the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre; and if she will make a statement.

Sadiq Khan: As was announced in the November 2008 pre-Budget report, Ministers concluded that there was no public policy rationale for the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre to remain in Government ownership. Alternatives to public ownership are under consideration, and an update will be provided in the 2009 Budget report.

Recycling

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government whether recyclable materials collected from street recycling bins are counted towards local authorities' national indicator set recycling figures and targets.

Sadiq Khan: Yes. National Indicator 192Percentage of household waste sent for reuse, recycling and compostingdoes include materials collected from street recycling bins. Full definitions of the National Indicator set are set out in the National Indicators for Local Authorities and Local Authority Partnerships: Handbook of Definitions, available on the CLG website at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/localgovernment/finalnationalindicators

Rented Housing

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what plans she has to bring forward legislative proposals to enact the provisions included in the Law Commission's Rented Homes Bill;
	(2)  what her policy is on the alignment of tenancy terms proposed by the Law Commission.

Iain Wright: The proposals in the Law Commission's Rented Homes Bill were considered as part of the Review of the Private Rented Sector which we commissioned Julie Rugg and David Rhodes to carry out last year. We will be responding formally to the review in the spring. That response will incorporate our response to the Law Commission's recommendations, including their proposals on the alignment of tenancy terms.

Rented Housing: Rent Deposit Schemes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many local housing authorities run rent deposit schemes; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: We do not have official figures on the number of local housing authorities who run rent deposit schemes. However, in 2007 Communities and Local Government published a homelessness prevention survey submitted by 301 local authorities, representing 85 per cent. of the total. 201 authorities reported that they had rent deposit schemes in place and a further 45 authorities reported that they were planning to have rent deposit schemes in place. This shows that private rented accommodation is an effective housing option for preventing homelessness and provides a viable alternative to social housing.
	The Government take all aspects of homelessness very seriously. We have allocated over 200 million to local authorities and voluntary organisations over the next three years (2008-11) to tackle and prevent homelessness in their area effectively. This is the biggest ever cash injection for homelessness services. Local organisations decide, based on local circumstances, how to use those resources to prevent homelessness.

Social Rented Housing

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proportion of all social home lettings were made to people other than homeless applicants in  (a) each region and  (b) each London local authority area were in each year since 2000-01.

Iain Wright: Information about lettings to local authority landlords is collected via the Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA). Estimates of lettings made to people 'other than homeless applicants' have been calculated using the total number of all local authority lettings made to both new and existing social housing tenants (but excluding mutual exchanges) less the number of lettings made to households owed the main homelessness duty (section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1996).
	Table 1 shows the percentage of all local authority lettings made to households who were not owed the main homelessness duty for each region from 2000-01 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Table 1: Percentage of all lettings by LA landlords made to applicants other than those owed the main homelessness duty (by region) 
			   2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 North East 90.7 88.8 87.1 80.6 79.7 83.1 83.9 85.7 
			 North West 89.7 88.3 85.4 84.7 78.3 76.9 78.7 82.5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 87.0 86.1 80.5 75.0 74.8 77.7 79.9 71.8 
			 East Midlands 85.2 82.3 81.3 81.2 78.7 82.5 83.1 83.7 
			 West Midlands 81.1 76.5 73.5 68.5 70.1 74.3 74.7 74.6 
			 East of England 74.6 69.5 65.1 76.9 77.0 80.1 80.7 82.2 
			 London 53.4 50.2 51.1 60.6 61.7 64.8 68.3 67.7 
			 South East 67.3 62.6 62.9 79.0 77.6 80.1 81.5 79.9 
			 South West 71.0 67.4 63.4 69.3 73.7 71.5 77.8 84.0 
			 England 79.9 77.1 74.3 75.2 74.1 76.4 78.2 78.2 
			  Notes: 1. The denominator 'all lettings' includes lets made to both new and existing social housing tenants, but excludes mutual exchanges. 2. The figures include general needs and supported housing lets.  Source: Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix, derived from reported data from local authorities. 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the percentage of all local authority lettings made to households who were not owed the main homelessness duty for each local authority in London from 2000-01 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Table 2: Percentage of all lettings by LA landlords made to applicants other than those owed the main homelessness duty (by London local authority) 
			   2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Barking and Dagenham 86.7 76.8 69.3 76.6 65.1 95.4 91.3 84.3 
			 Barnet 36.7 34.2 27.3 62.8 70.7 76.8 78.9 65.8 
			 Bexley 
			 Brent 46.7 34.2 46.0 51.0 58.2 44.1 54.4 53.9 
			 Bromley 
			 Camden 62.0 64.0 49.8 63.0 61.6 62.5 79.6 85.9 
			 City of London 91.1 93.6 87.4 94.4 90.9 93.1 92.2 95.3 
			 Croydon 18.5 26.2 60.0 83.6 82.5 86.3 83.7 75.6 
			 Ealing 48.2 47.5 43.8 43.4 63.0 55.5 55.4 56.2 
			 Enfield 61.4 50.8 48.4 51.5 53.7 54.8 51.6 57.7 
			 Greenwich 55.3 62.8 63.2 59.7 64.3 67.4 70.6 74.1 
			 Hackney 67.7 39.2 38.2 52.3 54.2 57.7 58.2 41.2 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 63.0 48.4 44.0 62.6 65.9 75.1 60.0 57.5 
			 Haringey 30.3 75.8 66.2 60.6 57.1 52.7 70.6 54.9 
			 Harrow 45.9 61.6 61.9 63.8 67.1 69.0 63.9 59.8 
			 Havering 100.0 77.1 78.3 99.5 72.0 91.1 50.4 99.3 
			 Hillingdon 42.1 68.2 45.7 53.2 65.2 73.9 64.5 74.8 
			 Hounslow 50.8 42.7 54.0 47.4 37.3 52.4 56.3 57.7 
			 Islington 44.8 43.9 43.6 40.9 51.9 61.4 61.8 64.1 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 62.4 73.1 62.5 66.5 60.9 54.6 80.5 57.9 
			 Kingston upon Thames 53.4 43.3 42.0 48.0 49.0 56.3 59.9 57.9 
			 Lambeth 52.6 34.7 34.6 42.1 40.3 32.8 45.2 58.5 
			 Lewisham 70.1 65.2 58.1 58.9 53.7 77.1 84.2 58.2 
			 Merton 85.3 78.3 77.3 73.1 66.6 70.0 85.4 94.9 
			 Newham 38.4 33.9 61.8 85.6 87.3 82.2 79.6 77.1 
			 Redbridge 58.7 66.6 63.2 71.5 81.2 80.3 68.5 73.7 
			 Richmond upon Thames 45.3
			 Southwark 53.6 37.4 41.3 47.0 51.5 61.4 76.6 80.6 
			 Sutton 35.9 39.0 43.2 91.0 83.0 77.4 81.7 80.0 
			 Tower Hamlets 39.3 34.8 39.1 67.5 73.6 41.7 66.0 67.0 
			 Waltham Forest 34.8 33.7 32.6 52.0 62.9 54.8 46.1 50.9 
			 Wandsworth 56.7 50.3 59.3 63.2 63.5 60.4 40.8 44.3 
			 Westminster 45.1 43.2 51.6 43.3 51.3 50.2 63.5 56.2 
			 London 53.4 50.2 51.1 60.6 61.7 64.8 68.3 67.7 
			 '' Indicates no local authority lettings were made due to local authority having undergone a large scale voluntary transfer (LSVT).  Notes: 1. The denominator 'all lettings' includes lets made to both new and existing social housing tenants, but excludes mutual exchanges. 2. The figures include general needs and supported housing lets.  Source: Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix, derived from reported data from local authorities. 
		
	
	Information about lettings to registered social landlords (RSLs) is collected through the Continuous Recordings of Lettings (CORE) system. Estimates of lettings to people 'other than homeless applicants' have been calculated using the total number of all registered social landlord lettings made to both new and existing social housing tenants less the number of lettings recorded as being made to households owed the main homelessness duty (section 193(2) of the Housing Act 1996) and who were recorded as having been referred or nominated by a local authority.
	Table 3 shows the percentage of all registered social landlord lettings made to households who were not owed the main homelessness duty for each region from 2000-01 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Table 3: Percentage of all lettings by RSLs made to applicants other than those owed the main homelessness duty (by region) 
			   2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 North East 96.6 96.8 94.5 92.5 92.1 91.1 91.1 88.8 
			 North West 95.3 94.6 95.2 93.9 93.3 91.9 91.4 91.5 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 95.1 95.3 94.7 95.1 94.3 93.0 92.5 90.9 
			 East Midlands 93.8 93.3 92.2 90.1 91.6 89.6 88.7 88.6 
			 West Midlands 93.8 92.5 91.6 89.8 88.0 89.0 89.6 89.3 
			 East of England 90.6 88.9 86.1 84.1 85.5 84.1 83.1 84.8 
			 London 85.5 85.5 84.9 84.5 84.9 84.6 82.1 81.8 
			 South East 86.6 85.8 85.0 83.7 85.9 85.7 85.4 85.4 
			 South West 85.1 84.4 84.0 82.0 83.2 83.3 83.9 82.5 
			 England 91.1 90.6 89.9 88.6 88.6 88.1 87.6 87.3 
			  Notes: 1. The denominator 'all lettings' includes lets made to both new and existing social housing tenants. 2. RSLs with less than 250 units are not required to complete CORE returns. 3. The figures include general needs and supported housing lets.  Source: CORE 
		
	
	Table 4 shows the percentage of all registered social landlord lettings made to households who were not owed the main homelessness duty, for each local authority in London from 2000-01 to 2007-08.
	
		
			  Table 4: Percentage of all lettings by RSLs made to applicants other than those owed the main homelessness duty (by London local authority) 
			   2000-01  2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06  2006-07  2007-08 
			 Barking and Dagenham 95.0 97.1 96.5 96.1 94.2 75.5 89.0 85.1 
			 Barnet 85.7 83.0 80.5 83.2 88.3 91.1 85.4 78.9 
			 Bexley 77.7 74.8 76.9 80.0 80.9 87.5 82.7 87.3 
			 Brent 83.2 82.6 72.5 78.6 84.8 83.9 81.9 76.8 
			 Bromley 54.1 62.9 58.0 61.2 55.6 62.4 71.3 61.7 
			 Camden 95.6 96.1 97.0 93.4 94.3 92.6 94.6 92.4 
			 City of London 100.0 100.0 97.3 94.7 100.0 100.0 97.5 98.1 
			 Croydon 85.0 84.8 79.0 81.6 86.3 84.1 83.2 83.8 
			 Ealing 83.9 82.9 79.5 71.7 79.3 65.8 62.3 67.9 
			 Enfield 76.0 82.5 75.3 86.1 87.1 85.6 71.6 63.4 
			 Greenwich 94.5 93.0 93.8 93.8 93.4 93.7 88.4 92.6 
			 Hackney 86.4 89.2 87.9 89.3 86.7 88.5 84.0 87.5 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 90.9 90.3 88.2 84.3 83.6 88.3 76.2 77.4 
			 Haringey 79.6 74.0 76.9 76.9 86.2 84.4 72.3 73.7 
			 Harrow 73.3 65.5 78.5 58.4 69.8 63.5 76.1 77.3 
			 Havering 94.9 93.5 95.8 95.1 84.5 98.3 94.4 91.0 
			 Hillingdon 69.9 70.5 77.4 81.8 76.6 73.5 76.6 74.1 
			 Hounslow 68.0 80.0 77.3 76.4 74.6 80.1 74.3 71.0 
			 Islington 91.3 89.7 87.5 86.0 90.5 92.4 85.1 85.8 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 89.7 89.0 88.3 80.5 82.3 86.4 75.2 81.0 
			 Kingston upon Thames 63.8 78.2 71.3 83.8 71.0 76.0 72.3 66.0 
			 Lambeth 92.5 84.6 86.3 84.0 87.4 87.1 86.7 84.3 
			 Lewisham 89.0 92.1 91.0 90.8 90.9 81.7 88.5 85.1 
			 Merton 88.6 90.8 89.6 89.2 79.2 83.1 87.4 90.2 
			 Newham 89.6 89.7 88.3 92.1 92.9 92.8 90.2 86.4 
			 Redbridge 80.1 86.9 89.4 85.1 94.3 96.1 87.7 89.9 
			 Richmond upon Thames 70.5 70.5 72.4 71.5 65.9 65.3 66.0 64.0 
			 Southwark 90.3 84.1 90.5 85.7 85.1 84.1 80.8 84.8 
			 Sutton 83.1 81.8 79.9 88.4 85.7 83.0 80.5 80.2 
			 Tower Hamlets 91.8 90.1 90.9 91.6 87.4 85.6 80.8 82.5 
			 Waltham Forest 89.1 78.5 82.9 84.6 90.5 90.8 73.4 78.0 
			 Wandsworth 91.7 91.0 86.1 86.6 85.6 87.8 81.1 81.8 
			 Westminster 89.7 92.5 94.3 92.5 93.7 91.2 94.2 91.1 
			 London 85.5 85.5 84.9 84.5 84.9 84.6 82.1 81.8 
			  Notes: 1. The denominator 'all lettings' includes lets made to both new and existing social housing tenants. 2. RSLs with less than 250 units are not required to complete CORE returns. 3. The figures include general needs and supported housing lets.  Source: CORE

Social Rented Housing: Standards

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what space standards  (a) local authorities and  (b) housing associations are required to follow when (i) building and (ii) purchasing new dwellings for social tenants.

Iain Wright: The Government have no specific existing policy on the application of dwelling space standards for private sector homes. However, the Government's Planning Policy Statement 3: Housing (PPS3) is clear on the need to achieve high quality new housing, including promoting designs and layouts which make efficient use of land, encouraging innovative approaches to help deliver high quality outcomes, and contribute positively to making places better for people.
	The Government's new delivery body, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is currently reviewing the benchmarks for high quality urban design, construction and environmental sustainability, including any space standards for new homes funded by the public sector.
	In the meantime the HCA is continuing to operate under the regimes set in place by the Housing Corporation and English Partnerships, whereby (i) Design and Quality Strategy and Standards set out the Housing Corporation's requirements and recommendations for all housing projects which received Social Housing Grant, and (ii) Housing Quality Indicators set out English Partnership's requirements, both of which included a space standard.
	Where local authorities build or acquire homes with funding from the HCA they are expected to meet the relevant conditions of the grant, and compliance with development standards is one of these.
	Where HCA are purchasing stock from developers from the 200 million earmarked for this purpose, the Government have agreed that they may be flexible on design and quality standards to help house builders maintain housing production through the current difficult market conditions.

Sustainable Development

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government with reference to her Department's consultation paper on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007 whether she plans to extend local spending reports to include information on relevant executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies.

John Healey: On 20 February 2009, the Government launched a consultation on the Sustainable Communities Act 2007: Local spending reports. In this consultation, the Department is seeking views on proposals for putting in place the first arrangements for local spending reports including which bodies, expenditure, spatial level and period should be covered by the reports, and also how the reports might develop over time. The consultation on the first arrangements closes on Friday 3 April, and on Friday 15 May for how the reports should be developed over time.
	Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Library of the House.

Travelling People

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will place in the Library a copy of Preparing Regional Spatial Strategy Reviews on Gypsies and Travellers.

Iain Wright: I have today placed a copy of the guidance document Preparing Regional Spatial Strategy Reviews on Gypsies and Travellers provided by regional planning bodies in the Library of the House.

Travelling People: Plymouth

Gary Streeter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government by what date her Department has required Plymouth City Council to provide permanent sites for Travellers; and if she will make a statement.

Iain Wright: The Secretary of State published for consultation proposed changes to the regional spatial strategy for the south-west on 22 July 2008. This set out a requirement for 40 additional residential pitches and 15 additional transit pitches in Plymouth. Responses to those proposed changes are being considered. The final regional spatial strategy, setting out the number of pitches required will be published later this year.

Urban Areas: Regeneration

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what timetable she has set for the revision of Planning Policy Statement 6 on town centre planning;
	(2)  what the status of the proposed changes is to Planning Policy Statement 6, on planning for town centres; and when she plans to publish the results of the July 2008 consultation.

Iain Wright: The proposed changes to Planning Policy Statement 6: Planning for Town Centres are currently in draft form. A revised version of the policy will be published later this spring.
	A summary of the responses to the July 2008 consultation was published on the Department's website on 4 February 2009. The information is available at:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/planningandbuilding/pdf/pps6responses.pdf

Valuation Office: Rightmove

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. Pickles) of 2 February 2009,  Official Report, column 974W, on the Valuation Office: Rightmove, which estate agent industry sources other than Rightmove are routinely used by the Valuation Office Agency.

John Healey: The Valuation Office Agency makes use of a range of freely available sources of information from the estate agent industry across England (and Wales). A full list could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

HEALTH

Autism: Hertfordshire

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) schoolchildren and  (b) adults have autism in (i) Hemel Hempstead and (ii) Hertfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The information requested is not held centrally.

Broomfield Hospital: Cancer

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were treated for cancer at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford in 2007.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not held centrally.

Broomfield Hospital: Manpower

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what resources will be allocated to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford following the Government's recent announcement of extra staff to tackle hospital infections.

Ann Keen: The information requested is not held centrally. The comprehensive spending review (CSR) funding settlement includes 270 million per year by 2010-11 to tackle healthcare associated infections (HCAIs). In 2008-09, the additional funding is reflected in the 5.5 per cent., increase in primary care trust (PCT) allocations and the 2.3 per cent. uplift to the national tariff (the latter specifically recognising the importance of tackling HCAIs and improving cleanliness).
	The additional funding is not ring fenced, but rather is reflected in the 5.5 per cent., increase to PCT revenue allocations in 2008-09. In addition, the national tariff uplift for 2008-09 has an element that specifically recognises the importance of tackling infections and improving cleanliness. This means that all national health service organisations can afford to make significant investment and continue to make progress.
	Some of the funding will be spent on implementing national policysuch as the requirement for all relevant elective patients to be screened for methicillin-resistant  Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from April 2009 and for emergency admissions as soon as possible within the next three years.
	Other areas where additional funding can be invested will be left to local discretion, but clean, safe care guides the local NHS as to areas where this will have the most impactsuch as investing in specialist staff. The Government's CSR settlement allows for up to 45 million for this purpose, which could for example deliver two infection control nurses, one pharmacist and two nurses to care for patients in isolation, alongside additional infection control nurses in every community. As there is a shortage of trained staff in some areas, trusts may want to recruit to posts in infection control teams and train up additional infection control nurses.

Dental Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many  (a) children aged five and under,  (b) children aged 18 and under and  (c) persons aged 18 years and over, in each primary care trust area, had one or more teeth removed under general anaesthetic in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The exact information is not held centrally. Hospital Episode Statistics show the dental procedure carried out, but not whether a general anaesthetic was administered. However, dental treatment under general anaesthesia may only take place in a hospital setting that has a critical-care facility. It is therefore very likely, though not absolutely certain that a child admitted to hospital for extraction of teeth will have had general anaesthetic, and that was the reason for their admission to hospital. A table which contains the number of hospital episodes involving the extraction of teeth by age group and primary care trust has been placed in the Library.

Dental Services

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on what date he expects the conclusions of his Department's independent review of NHS dentistry to be published.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 24 February 2009,  Official Report, column 661W.

Dental Services

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the number of NHS dentists who routinely refer patients to an hygienist at additional cost following a dental check-up; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  whether he expects the cost of a dental check-up with an NHS dentist to include  (a) treatment by an hygienist and  (b) a scale and polish; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally. National health service dental contracts require dentists to provide all proper clinically necessary dental care and treatment that the patient is willing to undergo. Which dental professional delivers the treatment is a clinical matter for the practice. A Band 1 course of treatment (diagnosis, treatment planning and maintenance) includes examination, diagnosis (for example x-rays), advice on how to prevent future problems, and scaling and polishing if clinically needed. Fee paying NHS patients will be charged 16.20 for a Band 1 course of treatment. Those exempt from NHS charges receive treatment without charge.
	Patients who are assessed as not clinically needing a scale and polish are free to obtain it privately. As with any treatment if there is no clinical need for the patient to receive a scale and polish it is entirely appropriate that it is provided, if at all, outside the NHS.

Dental Services: Peterborough

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the net funding allocation to the Peterborough Primary Care Trust for primary dental services was in each year since 1 April 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The primary dental service funding allocations made to Peterborough Primary Care Trust (PCT) for the three years 2006-07 to 2008-09 are in the following table. These are net of income from dental charges paid by patients, which are retained locally to supplement the resources available for dentistry. Actual expenditure levels are determined by the pattern and type of services commissioned by each PCT. PCTs may also dedicate some of their other national health service resources to dentistry if they consider this an appropriate local priority.
	
		
			  Primary dental service net funding allocations for Peterborough PCT 
			   Allocation (000) 
			 2006-07 7,967 
			 2007-08 8,324 
			 2008-09 9,158 
			  Notes: 1. The allocation figure for 2006-07 is the aggregate of the allocations made initially to the North and South Peterborough PCTs before they merged to form the Peterborough PCT with effect from 1 October 2006. 2. PCTs are awarded separate funding allocations to meet the cost of any dental vocational trainees who may be placed with dental practices in their area. 3. Full allocation details for all PCTs for 2009-10 will be confirmed shortly, but the allocation for Peterborough PCT will be reduced by a transfer of 467,000 to Cambridgeshire PCT in line with an agreement between the two PCTs on a more appropriate distribution of resources to reflect their respective cross border service responsibilities.

Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which primary care trusts have established policies on accepting clinical waste arising from the management of diabetes at GP surgeries; [R]
	(2)  what his Department's policy is on the disposal of clinical waste arising from the management of diabetes; and if he will make a statement. [R]

Ann Keen: Information about which primary care trusts have established policies on accepting diabetic clinical waste at general practitioner surgeries is not held centrally.
	The Department published Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe management of healthcare waste (copies of which have been placed the Library) to give clarification and advice to community healthcare professionals involved in the care of self-medicating patients, such as people with diabetes. It includes:
	Self-medicating patients and sharps disposal
	19. Where the householder is a self-medicating patient who uses injectables (for example a person with diabetes) with no healthcare worker involved in the administration, the GP or healthcare worker should prescribe the householder the appropriate container (for example a sharps box) and advise them of local disposal options.

Drugs: Rehabilitation

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many residential drug treatment places his Department funds; and what the average waiting time for a place in such a setting is;
	(2)  how many residential drug treatment places his Department plans to fund in  (a) 2010 and  (b) 2011.

Dawn Primarolo: The Department does not directly fund any residential rehabilitation. Decisions on how many residential drug treatment places to fund are made by local commissioning partnerships based on assessed local need and individually assessed client need. This information is not available centrally.
	However, the national drug treatment monitoring system (NDTMS), managed by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (NTA), does collect data on the number of individuals receiving residential treatment. Latest figures show that in 2007-08, 4,306 adults were recorded in residential rehabilitation and 6,742 adults received in-patient services in hospital.
	It is important to note that there is known under-reporting of referral data to the NDTMS, and so any figures regarding this sector are likely to be an under estimate of activity. As such, the data the NTA collects through the NDTMS is not a complete or accurate picture.
	Waiting times data for residential drug treatment places has been supplied previously and I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 5 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1765W.

Gynaecology

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to increase  (a) medical practitioners' and  (b) public awareness of premature ovarian failure; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Premature ovarian failure (also called premature or early menopause) is defined as the onset of menopause before the age of 45 and affects at most 1 per cent. of women.
	The management of women with premature ovarian failure is part of the core curriculum for training of all gynaecologists. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists held a public meeting 'Premature menopause - A Change too soon' on 3 November 2007.
	The Daisy Network Premature Menopause Support Group supports and gives advice to women who have experienced premature menopause.

Heart Diseases

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many men under the age of 35 years resident in  (a) West Chelmsford constituency and  (b) England had heart attacks in each of the last five years.

Ann Keen: The following table provides data from the East of England strategic health authority (SHA) (which includes West Chelmsford constituency). We are unable to break the data down into individual constituencies. The East of England strategic health authority was formed in 2006-07 by a merger of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire; Essex; and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire. Figures for 2003-04 to 2005-06 were calculated by summing these three together. It shows the number of males under the age of 35 years old who were admitted to hospital due to a heart attack:
	
		
			  Finished admission episodes 
			   East of England SHA( 1)  England 
			 2007-08 47 348 
			 2006-07 40 343 
			 2005-06 48 369 
			 2004-05 43 368 
			 2003-04 37 335 
			 (1) Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire; Essex; and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire prior to 2006-07  Notes:  Finished admission episodes: A finished admission episode is the first period of inpatient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Finished admission episodes are counted against the year in which the admission episode finishes. Admissions do not represent the number of inpatients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.  Primary diagnosis: The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 20 (14 from 2002-03 to 2006-07 and 7 prior to 2002-03) diagnosis fields in the Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) data set and provides the main reason why the patient was admitted to hospital. The ICD-10 codes used to identify heart attacks are as follows: I21acute myocardial infarction I22subsequent myocardial infarction  Number of episodes in which the patient had a (named) primary diagnosis: These figures represent the number of episodes where the diagnosis was recorded in the primary diagnosis field in a HES record.  Data quality: HES are compiled from data sent by more than 300 national health service trusts and primary care trusts (PCTs) in England. Data are also received from a number of independent sector organisations for activity commissioned by the English NHS. The NHS information centre for health and social care liaises closely with these organisations to encourage submission of complete and valid data and seeks to minimise inaccuracies and the effect of missing and invalid via HES processes. While this brings about improvement over time, some shortcomings remain.  Source: Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), the NHS information centre for health and social care.

Hospital Wards

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 874-5W, on hospital wards: gender, what milestones he has set between now and June for the project; and how he will assess the effects of the changes following their implementation.

Ann Keen: A number of milestones have been agreed that relate both to the Department's programme plan for eliminating mixed sex accommodation and to the use of the associated 'Privacy and Dignity' fund.
	The milestones for the Privacy and Dignity fund are:
	strategic health authority (SHA) plans will be submitted to the Department by 9 March 2009;
	departmental ratification of the plans (which are to set out specific projects and timelines for improvements in the SHA regions) will take place in order to release the funds from 1 April 2009; and
	local improvements and changes must be implemented by the end of June 2009.
	SHAs will report to the Department every two weeks following the submission, and approval, of their local plans, confirming actions taken and variance from the planned milestones. The Department will also require a report from each SHA confirming the delivery of the plan by the beginning of July 2009.
	Use of the privacy and dignity fund is likely to be informed by the requirement set out in the Operating Framework for the NHS 2009-10, that
	PCTs are expected to work with their local providers to deliver substantial and meaningful reductions in the number of patients who report that they share sleeping or sanitary accommodation with members of the opposite sex.
	PCTs are asked to ensure plans will be published by the end of March 2009.
	The programme for eliminating mixed sex accommodation comprises four workstreams; to raise the focus, develop metrics assurance, facilitate spread of good practice and deliver targeted support. The key milestones themselves include:
	establishment of an operations team and a broader programme governance infrastructure (February 2009);
	compilation of a communications strategy (March 2009);
	begin improvement team's engagement with trusts requiring support (March 2009)
	publishing a root cause analysis toolkit for local use by the NHS (April 2009);
	'sharing good practice' event, (by end June 2009); and
	phased handover of improvement activity to local health community arrangements (from June 2009 onwards).
	The Department: will consider the outcome of inpatient surveys in assessing the success of these changes.

Malnutrition

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 26 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1028W, on malnutrition, what the statistical margin of error would be if the General Practice Research Database sample were used to project a population-wide figure;
	(2)  how frequently the analysis referred to is undertaken; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The General Practice Research Database (GPRD) is a collection of data from general practices selected to be as geographically demographically representative as possible of the UK. The age and gender distribution is similar to that as detailed by the Office for National Statistics on the basis of census data. GPRD practices are provided with recording guidelines against which data quality is monitored.
	The GPRD contains records of patients recorded as suffering from malnutrition under a range of different terms, known as 'Read Terms'. There are many thousands of Read codes in total, and 24 separate codes relating to malnutrition. This range of different codes is designed to allow the general practitioner (GP) to record the condition at different levels of specificity of disease. The Read code used is at the discretion of the GP and is based on their diagnosis of the patient's condition
	The data as previously given are a reasonable population based estimate of the level of malnutrition, as recorded within primary care data, based upon the GPRD sample size.
	The analysis undertaken to count the number of such cases, in the GPRD, is not done routinely. It was done in response to a specific request. The analysis could be repeated at any time in the future.

Maternity Services: Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the tariff uplift breakdown for 2009-10, published by his Department on 5 February 2009, under which headings the additional funding his Department has provided for maternity services is included.

Ann Keen: I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave him on 3 March 2009,  Official Report, column 1478W.

Mental Health Services

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what effect he expects the NHS Constitution will have on levels of access to National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence-approved psychological therapies; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: The NHS Constitution sets out that patients have the right to drugs and treatments that have been recommended by a National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal, if their doctor says they are clinically appropriate. This includes psychological therapies appraised by NICE. The right is underpinned by a statutory funding direction, in place since January 2002, which requires primary care trusts to make funding available for drugs and treatments recommended in a NICE technology appraisal, normally within three months of publication of the appraisal.

NHS: Lost Property

Mark Pritchard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the total cost of equipment  (a) lost by and  (b) stolen from the NHS in 2007-08.

Ann Keen: The information is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

NHS: Negligence

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was paid by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) to the 11 firms on the NHSLA panel for clinical cases for their services  (a) on behalf of the NHSLA and  (b) provided to claimants in each year since 1996-97.

Ann Keen: The NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) panel solicitors do not provide services to claimants therefore the amount paid by the NHSLA for clinical cases for their services provided to claimants is zero.
	Providing data specifically for panel solicitors or for years prior to 1999 would be at disproportionate cost because the information is not readily accessible. Additionally, it is difficult to compare using information prior to 2002-03 because excess levels were operated on schemes, which means the data held do not cover all claims.
	However, the NHSLA has provided the following table. The NHSLA does not have defence costs recorded prior to 1999 due to a change in accounting systems. Additionally, the NHSLA only records data by year for overall defence costs, which include barrister and medical expert fees alongside panel solicitors' fees.
	
		
			  NHSLA defence legal costs paid per year by scheme 
			  000 
			   Clinical negligence scheme for trusts  Existing liabilities scheme  Ex-regional health authorities  Total clinical 
			 1999-2000 2,166 22,435 691 25,292 
			 2000-01 7,223 (1)185,651 765 193,639 
			 2001-02 (1)11,954 27,358 492 39,804 
			 2002-03 35,919 21,905 398 58,222 
			 2003-04 39,829 10,705 276 50,810 
			 2004-05 40,016 12,206 206 52,428 
			 2005-06 44,146 12,355 286 56,787 
			 2006-07 43,334 10,162 244 53,740 
			 2007-08 43,778 9,123 194 53,095 
			 (1) The NHSLA operated excess levels on two clinical schemes whereby trusts themselves handled and funded claims below the excess levels. The NHSLA does not hold data related to these claims. Excess levels for each of the two schemes were removed in the marked years and outstanding claims below excess were then fully funded by the schemes. These years therefore include reimbursement by the NHSLA of legal costs already paid by trusts against those claims. It will also include legal costs associated with solicitors not on the NHSLA's panel because trusts were originally handling some of those claims themselves and will have appointed their own solicitors.

NHS: Negligence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical negligence cases were open on the NHS Litigation Authority database at the most recent date for which figures are available; and how many of them are being funded by  (a) legal aid,  (b) conditional fee agreements,  (c) before the event insurance,  (d) private means and  (e) other means.

Ann Keen: The information requested was obtained from the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and is provided in the following table. Claimants are not required to provide details of their funding arrangements, but the NHSLA records this where it is known.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims open as at 28 February 2009 
			  Claimant funding  Total 
			 Before the Event Insurance 847 
			 Conditional Fee Arrangement 3,743 
			 Legal Services Commission 4,697 
			 Self-funded 798 
			 Unknown 1,453 
			 Grand total 11,538

NHS: Negligence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical negligence cases were brought in the last year for which figures are available; and how many of them were funded by  (a) legal aid,  (b) conditional fee agreements,  (c) before the event insurance,  (d) private means and  (e) other means.

Ann Keen: The information requested was obtained from the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and is provided in the following table. Claimants are not required to provide details of their funding arrangements, but the NHSLA records this where it is known.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims received in 2007-08 as at 28 February 2009 
			  Claimant funding  Total 
			 Before the Event Insurance 418 
			 Conditional Fee Arrangement 1,896 
			 Legal Services Commission 1,209 
			 Self-funded 679 
			 Unknown 1,014 
			 Grand total 5,216

NHS: Negligence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical negligence cases were closed by the NHS Litigation Authority in the last year for which figures are available; how many of them were funded by  (a) legal aid,  (b) conditional fee agreements,  (c) before the event insurance,  (d) private means and  (e) other means; and how many cases in each category of funding resulted in an award of damages or a settlement involving an agreement to pay damages.

Ann Keen: The information requested was obtained from the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) and is provided in the following table. Claimants are not required to provide details of their funding arrangements, but the NHSLA records this where it is known.
	
		
			  Number of clinical negligence claims closed in 2007-08 as at 28 February 2009 
			  Claimant funding  Damages awarded  No damages  Grand total 
			 Before the Event Insurance 287 91 378 
			 Conditional Fee Arrangement 1,132 438 1,570 
			 Legal Services Commission 1,133 803 1,936 
			 Self-funded 425 286 711 
			 Unknown 495 1,089 1,584 
			 Grand total 3,472 2,707 6,179

NHS: Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discretion is available to  (a) Ministers and  (b) pension scheme trustees in respect of the annual indexation for retired members of the (i) NHS Pension Scheme and (ii) New NHS Pension Scheme; and whether pension payments will fall should the retail price index inflation fall in the 12 month period to the end of September 2009.

Ann Keen: Current Social Security legislation provides for public service pensions to be adjusted by the same rate as the State Second Pension, and for such adjustments to take place only if there has been an increase in prices over a given period.

NHS: Public Appointments

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of NHS trust chief executive officers appointed within the last three years  (a) previously held other positions within the NHS,  (b) previously worked elsewhere in the public sector and  (c) held a position in the private sector immediately before their appointment.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally.

NHS: Redundancy Pay

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the likely redundancy costs for each primary care trust (PCT) arising from the latest reorganisation of PCTs; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Unfortunately the information does not exist in the format requested.
	The Department collected data on the value of redundancies and early retirements due to primary care trust (PCT) reorganisation in 2006-07, but we cannot separate the redundancy element from these figures. However, the Department did collect these costs separately in 2007-08.
	The information that the Department has collected is shown in the following table. Other restructuring costs include early retirement costs as well as other costs arising from the restructuring process.
	The PCT reconfiguration programme was undertaken to help to improve relationships between health care and local authorities by bringing their boundaries closer together and to make savings to the local national health service by reducing management costs. These savings will be reinvested in front line services.
	
		
			  000 
			  Name  2006-07 Redundancies and early retirements due to PCT reorganisation  2007-08 Redundancies due to PCT reorganisation  2007-08 Other restructuring costs due to PCT reorganisation 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 0 0 0 
			 Barking and Dagenham PCT 0 184 0 
			 Barnet PCT 0 0 187 
			 Barnsley PCT 0 6 0 
			 Bassetlaw PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bath and North East Somerset PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bedfordshire PCT 701 203 0 
			 Berkshire East PCT 17 500 0 
			 Berkshire West PCT 523 116 1,415 
			 Bexley NHS Care Trust PCT 39 0 0 
			 Birmingham East and North PCT 0 0 0 
			 Blackburn with Darwen PCT 0 0 0 
			 Blackpool PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bolton PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bournemouth and Poole PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bradford and Airedale PCT 2,142 900 0 
			 Brent Teaching PCT 0 0 0 
			 Brighton and Hove City PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bristol PCT 0 0 0 
			 Bromley PCT 0 0 0 
			 Buckinghamshire PCT 0 100 0 
			 Bury PCT 0 0 0 
			 Calderdale PCT 0 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire PCT 1,023 0 0 
			 Camden PCT 0 0 0 
			 Central and Eastern Cheshire PCT 0 0 0 
			 Central Lancashire PCT 2,675 0 0 
			 City and Hackney Teaching PCT 0 0 0 
			 Cornwall and Isles of Scilly PCT 0 0 0 
			 County Durham PCT 4,118 1,803 0 
			 Coventry Teaching PCT 0 1,000 0 
			 Croydon PCT 0 0 0 
			 Cumbria PCT 0 0 0 
			 Darlington PCT 0 593 0 
			 Derby City PCT 0 0 0 
			 Derbyshire County PCT 405 0 0 
			 Devon PCT 1,358 1,050 170 
			 Doncaster PCT 0 0 0 
			 Dorset PCT 506 1,356 0 
			 Dudley PCT 110 0 0 
			 Ealing PCT 0 0 0 
			 East and North Hertfordshire PCT 334 0 0 
			 East Lancashire PCT 162 0 0 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire PCT 65 0 0 
			 East Sussex Downs and Weald PCT 3,101 0 0 
			 Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT 998 0 0 
			 Enfield PCT 0 0 0 
			 Gateshead PCT 0 1,621 0 
			 Gloucestershire PCT 908 0 0 
			 Great Yarmouth and Waveney PCT 2,527 0 0 
			 Greenwich Teaching PCT 0 0 0 
			 Halton and St. Helens PCT 476 0 0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham PCT 0 0 0 
			 Hampshire PCT 227 2,493 4,069 
			 Haringey Teaching PCT 0 150 20 
			 Harrow PCT 0 0 0 
			 Hartlepool PCT 0 150 0 
			 Hastings and Rother PCT 2,259 0 0 
			 Havering PCT 0 0 500 
			 Heart of Birmingham Teaching PCT 0 197 0 
			 Herefordshire PCT 0 348 0 
			 Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT 1,933 91 0 
			 Hillingdon PCT 0 0 0 
			 Hounslow PCT 0 0 0 
			 Hull PCT 294 0 60 
			 Isle of Wight NHS PCT 631 0 0 
			 Islington PCT 0 0 0 
			 Kensington and Chelsea PCT 0 20 0 
			 Kingston PCT 0 0 0 
			 Kirklees PCT 121 0 0 
			 Knowsley PCT' 0 0 0 
			 Lambeth PCT 0 0 0 
			 Leeds PCT 1,328 2,561 0 
			 Leicester City PCT 1,272 1,100 0 
			 Leicestershire County and Rutland PCT 2,534 386 0 
			 Lewisham PCT 0 130 0 
			 Lincolnshire PCT 600 0 0 
			 Liverpool PCT 431 0 0 
			 Luton PCT 0 0 0 
			 Manchester PCT 929 0 0 
			 Medway PCT 0 188 0 
			 Mid Essex PCT 3,264 1,077 90 
			 Middlesbrough PCT 0 1,172 495 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 0 0 279 
			 Newcastle PCT 0 2,059 0 
			 Newham PCT 0 0 0 
			 Norfolk PCT 3,549 0 0 
			 North East Essex PCT 935 0 0 
			 North East Lincolnshire PCT 0 106 179 
			 North Lancashire PCT 1,708 1,000 0 
			 North Lincolnshire PCT 0 0 0 
			 North Somerset PCT 0 0 0 
			 North Staffordshire PCT 0 487 0 
			 North Tees PCT 0 688 0 
			 North Tyneside PCT 0 670 50 
			 North Yorkshire and York PCT 2,300 3,916 0 
			 Northamptonshire PCT 1,394 300 150 
			 Northumberland Care PCT 0 2,202 0 
			 Nottingham City PCT 0 0 0 
			 Nottinghamshire County PCT 554 115 826 
			 Oldham PCT 0 0 0 
			 Oxfordshire PCT 494 620 1,519 
			 Peterborough PCT 503 42 0 
			 Plymouth Teaching PCT 0 0 0 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 0 0 0 
			 Redbridge PCT 0 0 0 
			 Redcar and Cleveland PCT 766 986 0 
			 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 0 0 0 
			 Rotherham PCT 0 0 0 
			 Salford PCT 0 0 0 
			 Sandwell PCT 685 0 0 
			 Sefton PCT 1,101 0 0 
			 Sheffield PCT 891 2,476 0 
			 Shropshire County PCT 0 0 0 
			 Solihull NHS Care Trust PCT 172 720 0 
			 Somerset PCT 1,085 0 0 
			 South Birmingham PCT 0 0 0 
			 South East Essex PCT 66 0 389 
			 South Gloucestershire PCT 0 0 0 
			 South Staffordshire PCT 61 500 0 
			 South Tyneside PCT 0 2,296 0 
			 South West Essex PCT 1,412 0 0 
			 Southampton City PCT 0 0 0 
			 Southwark PCT 0 0 0 
			 Stockport PCT 0 0 0 
			 Stoke on Trent PCT 222 703 0 
			 Suffolk PCT 2,556 422 0 
			 Sunderland Teaching PCT 0 2,020 0 
			 Surrey PCT 4,592 1,390 0 
			 Sutton And Merton PCT 0 0 0 
			 Swindon PCT 0 0 0 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 0 0 749 
			 Telford and Wrekin PCT 0 0 0 
			 Torbay Care PCT 0 0 0 
			 Tower Hamlets PCT 0 155 0 
			 Trafford PCT 0 0 0 
			 Wakefield District PCT 694 238 0 
			 Walsall Teaching PCT 0 0 0 
			 Waltham Forest PCT 0 268 0 
			 Wandsworth PCT 0 0 0 
			 Warrington PCT 0 0 0 
			 Warwickshire PCT 967 204 1,210 
			 West Essex PCT 575 318 0 
			 West Hertfordshire PCT 398 0 0 
			 West Kent PCT 2,304 0 0 
			 West Sussex PCT 4,633 308 0 
			 Western Cheshire PCT 1,241 0 0 
			 Westminster PCT 0 0 0 
			 Wiltshire PCT 0 329 60 
			 Wirral PCT 455 0 0 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 0 0 0 
			 Worcestershire PCT 197 360 111 
			 Total 74,521 45,393 12,528 
			  Source:  Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules for 2007-08.

NHS: Temporary Employment

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on the potential additional cost to the NHS of changes to the value added tax treatment of agency staff; what estimate he has made of that potential cost; and if he will make a statement.

Ann Keen: Due to the way in which correspondence is logged, information on the specific number of representations received on the potential additional costs to the national health service of changes to the value added tax treatment of agency staff could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	The latest estimate of the potential cost to the NHS is 26 million per year, revised from an earlier estimate of 30 million when VAT stood at 17.5 per cent.

Nurses: Manpower

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the ratio of nurses to patients was at  (a) Darlington Memorial Hospital,  (b) York District Hospital,  (c) Harrogate District Hospital,  (d) Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital and  (e) Charing Cross Hospital in (i) 2008, (ii) 2007, (iii) 2006 and (iv) 1997.

Ann Keen: This information is not held centrally.

Pharmacy: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many licensed pharmacies there were in West Chelmsford constituency in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: The NHS Information Centre does not hold data on the number of licensed pharmacies but we do hold the number of community pharmacies in contract with their primary care trust (PCT) at the 31 March each year.
	The NHS Information Centre first published these data for 2004-05 so figures for four financial years only have been provided.
	The information is held by PCT only. Prior to 2006 the PCT area which best fits West Chelmsford constituency was Chelmsford PCT. From 2006 the PCT which covers West Chelmsford constituency is Mid Essex PCT. Mid Essex PCT is larger than the old Chelmsford PCT which may account for the larger number of pharmacies listed.
	
		
			  Number of community pharmacies in contract with PCT at 31 March 
			   Chelmsford PCT  Mid Essex PCT 
			 2004-05 21  
			 2005-06 21  
			 2006-07  54 
			 2007-08  54 
			  Note: Each community pharmacy has an arrangement with a PCT to dispense NHS prescriptions. The arrangement specifies both the premises and the named contractor. Community pharmacies can dispense the full range of drugs and appliances as listed in the monthly Drug Tariff published by the NHS Prescription Services (previously known as the Prescription Pricing Division or PPD) of the NHS Business Services Authority.

Social Services

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people of working age in each local authority who were assessed as having a level of social care need  (a) received and  (b) did not receive state-funded social care support in each of the last five years.

Phil Hope: Data on the outcome of social care assessments for people of working age (aged 18-64) are collected and published by the NHS Information Centre for health and social care. The table giving this information has been placed in the Library. Data on the level of social care need are not held centrally. It is for individual local authorities to decide on the eligibility criteria for receiving state-funded social care services.

Social Services: Finance

Roger Berry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to monitor consistency in the allocation of individual budgets among local authorities.

Phil Hope: The Government are committed to driving forward increased personalisation of public services, including ensuring that people using social care services should have access to maximum independence, choice and control. Personal budgets, building on the success of direct payments and the experiences of the thirteen individual budget pilot sites, are central to this aim.
	Councils will be supported to make substantial progress on transforming their systems to deliver personalised services over the next two years. The ring-fenced social care reform grant provides 520 million to help councils redesign and reshape their systems over the next three years in order to deliver this transformation. Performance across health and social care will be measured against relevant indicators in the national indicator set and any relevant local area agreement (LAA) improvement targets. This information will inform the Care Quality Commission's assessments of primary care trusts and councils across health and adult social care which, in turn, contribute to the comprehensive area assessment.
	In addition to the existing performance mechanisms, the Department and its partners are working to improve the adult social care indicators for future spending cycles. This work builds on the lessons learnt from the current national indicator set and the first round of the LAAs. The revised indicators are likely to form part of the evidence base for both future assessments by the inspectorates and the foundation for the next round of LAAs. The Department is now taking initial development work forward in partnership with Association of Directors of Adult Social Services regional networks, joint investment plans and other local sector stakeholders and as part of a wider Government review of the indicator set for the next comprehensive spending review period.

Strokes

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which acute hospitals are equipped to provide  (a) thrombolysis and  (b) CT scanning for patients who have undergone suspected strokes; and which of those are able to provide each service at all times.

Ann Keen: This information is not collected centrally. However, the National Sentinel Stroke Audit, prepared by the Royal College of Physicians and which is based on clinical data collected directly from national health service trusts, details the latest evidence on the provision of stroke services including thrombolysis and CT scanning. The most recent audit is available at the college's internet website at:
	www.rcplondon.ac.uk/clinical-standards/ceeu/Current-work/Documents/Public%20organisational%20report2008.pdf

ENERGY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

Air Pollution: Scotland

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change whether he plans to bring forward legislation to amend the Clean Air Act 1993 to take account of recent changes in solid fuel combustion in Scotland.

Huw Irranca-Davies: I have been asked to reply.
	There are, as yet, no firm plans to amend the Clean Air Act 1993 in response to changes in fuel use patterns in Scotland.
	The Clean Air Act 1993 is an important part of the regulatory system which is helping to improve air quality and protect public health. Its provisions cover the whole of the UK and any changes to it need to be considered on that basis. Such consideration will need to take into account the different ways in which the UK's Devolved Administrations will seek to deliver the increases in renewable heat and energy needed to achieve the UK's obligations.

British Plastics Federation

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to reply to the letter sent to him by the British Plastics Federation on 4 November 2008 on the climate change levy.

Joan Ruddock: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State replied to the letter from the British Plastics Federation on 27 February 2009.

Carbon Challenge Programme

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much has been allocated to the Carbon Challenge Programme in each year since its inception.

Iain Wright: holding answer 4 March 2009
	I have been asked to reply.
	The Carbon Challenge was launched in February 2007. This initiative has been developed by the Homes and Communities Agency on behalf of the Department. It is aimed at helping the house-building industry accelerate its response to climate change through innovation and the development of skills. Homes delivered through the Carbon Challenge will be designed to meet the highest level of the Code for Sustainable Homes and will emit net zero carbon in the course of a year.
	The Homes and Communities Agency has allocated 750,000 to the initiative over a three year period from 2007-08 until 2009-10. To date overall expenditure has amounted to 341,017 on the first phase of four sites which are owned by the public sector. This covers matters such as the development of the generic brief for the sites, the provision of advice to partners as well as monitoring and evaluation.

Carbon Emissions

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the implications of the European Court of Justice's ruling in the Citiworks case for achievement of the Government's targets for carbon dioxide emissions reduction.

Mike O'Brien: Although no specific assessment has been made of the implications of the Citiworks ruling for carbon dioxide emissions reductions, DECC will be consulting on the full implications of the Citiworks ruling and any necessary legislative changes later this year.

Christmas

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change how much his Department has spent on  (a) Christmas cards,  (b) Christmas decorations and  (c) Christmas parties since its inception.

Mike O'Brien: DECC has spent nothing on Christmas cards, decorations or parties. DECC's Christmas greetings were sent to recipients as e-cards, via e-mail. These e-cards were designed in-house using images submitted by staff, at no additional cost.

Climate Change

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to publish his response to the Eliasch Review.

Joan Ruddock: The UK is already acting on the Eliasch Review recommendations in most areas and is taking forward the analysis in relevant parts of the climate change negotiations for a future arrangement through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The Government do not intend to make a formal response to the review.

Electricity Generation

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what further reports he expects to be published by the Electricity Networks Strategy Group.

Mike O'Brien: A second phase of the ENSG 2020 Electricity Transmission Network study, available at
	http://www.ensg.gov.uk/assets/1696-01-ensg_vision2020.pdf
	will now consider generation scenarios for 2025 and 2030. A report of this further work is expected to be published in the spring.

Energy Saving Trust

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what the cost to his Department and its predecessor of  (a) the Energy Saving Trust and  (b) its contractors has been since the Trust's inception; to which (i) regional and (ii) local organisations the Energy Saving Trust contracts domestic and business consumer enquiries; how many complaints about its service the Energy Saving Trust and its contractors received in each of the last two years; what assessment his Department makes of the cost-effectiveness of the Energy Saving Trust; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Energy Saving Trust in reducing domestic and business greenhouse gas emissions.

Joan Ruddock: The Energy Saving Trust is a private company limited by guarantee, and details of their contractors and complaints procedures are therefore a matter for the trust's board.
	The Department grant funds the Energy Saving Trust year-on-year, supporting the valuable work in the domestic carbon abatement field. We do not fund the Energy Saving Trust for business consumer inquiries. The Department and its predecessors grant funded the trust annually as follows(1):
	
		
			   Funding ( million) 
			 1996-97 25 
			 1997-98 19 
			 1998-99 19 
			 1999-2000 23 
			 2000-01 22 
			 2001-02 22 
			 2002-03 24 
			 2003-04 25 
			 2004-05 28 
			 2005-06 27 
			 2006-07 27 
			 2007-08 29 
			 2008-09 35 
		
	
	Analysis in the Climate Change Programme (March 2006) showed that the trust's activity is very cost-effective in terms of /tCO2. In 2007-08 the overall cost-effectiveness of the trust's work improved to 1.20 per tonne of lifetime carbon dioxide saved. The trust's influenced lifetime CO2 savings have improved in 2007-08 to 21.5mt CO2 compared to 16mt CO2 in 2006-07. The EST's activities make an effective and respected contribution to our climate change ambitions.
	(1) We do not have figures for Departmental funding from 1992-1996.

Fossil Fuels: North Sea

Robert Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change pursuant to the oral answer of 5 March 2009,  Official Report, columns 980-81, what discussions he has had with industry representatives on the effect of phase 3 of the European Emission Trading Scheme on the attractiveness of the UK continental shelf to global oil and gas investors. [R]

Mike O'Brien: The impact of phase III of the EU emission trading system (EU ETS) on the UK upstream oil and gas industry was discussed at the PILOT meeting on 10 February 2009 which was chaired by the Secretary of State of Energy and Climate Change. The meeting was attended by representatives of the oil and gas industry, including Oil and Gas UK. Officials from the Department of Energy and Climate Change are continuing to work with Oil and Gas UK and individual companies to analyse the impacts of phase III of the EU ETS on the sector.

Fuel Poverty

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what steps his Department is taking together with local authorities and devolved Administrations to reduce levels of fuel poverty.

Joan Ruddock: Since 2000 over 20 billion has been spent on fuel poverty benefits and programmes.
	This includes the Warm Front Scheme in England, carbon emissions reduction target and the Decent Homes Programme primarily addressing the energy efficiency of households, winter fuel and cold weather payments to increase household incomes.
	The combination of national and local programmes and delivery through local government, partnerships and area-based schemes can help target areas of particular need. We are currently consulting on the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), where we propose to support energy efficiency measures at a local, community level, by fostering new and existing partnerships between energy companies, local authorities, voluntary organisations and other such bodies, to offer support to poorer communities on a house-by-house, street-by-street basis.
	As part of the Local Government Framework, National Indicator 187 (Tackling Fuel Poverty) has been designed to measure the proportion of households on income-related benefits for whom an energy assessment of their housing has been carried out and have a SAP of below 35 or greater than 65. We are encouraged that 40 out of 150 local area agreements (LAAs) have included NI187 as one of their 35 local improvement targets and have set challenging but achievable targets. All local authorities will have to report on progress each year.
	Responsibility for fuel poverty policy is a devolved matter. Ministers across Government and the devolved nations discuss policy to tackle fuel poverty and we publish an annual report which includes information on progress in the devolved Administrations.

Kingsnorth Power Station

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to announce his decision on the construction of the proposed Kingsnorth power station.

Mike O'Brien: A decision on the application by E.ON UK plc for consent under section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 for a 1600MW coal fired power station at Kingsnorth will follow the conclusion of both the consultation on carbon capture readiness and the planned new consultation on a new framework for coal fired power stations.

Natural Gas

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the reduction in domestic production of natural gas on security of energy supply; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: Companies are bringing forward new gas supply infrastructure to meet the gradual decline in the UK's stocks of indigenous gas. Our import capacity has increased by 400 per cent. in the last 10 years, and is now equivalent to some 120 per cent. of our annual gas consumption. In addition, 18 commercial gas storage projects are in different stages of development; if they were all to come forward they could give us storage capacity equivalent to some 20 per cent. of our current gas consumption by around 2020.

Wind Power: Planning Permission

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what information his Department makes available to local communities whose areas are the subject of onshore wind farm applications; what formal guidance his Department provides to local authorities considering each application; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: The Government have a comprehensive framework of national planning policy and guidance on renewable energy. This is in addition to the body of guidance for local planning authorities on handling planning applications and engagement with local communities affected by planning applications. Communities and Local Government's Planning Policy Statement on Climate Change (PPS1) and Renewable Energy (PPS22) set out the considerations that will be relevant to planning applications for wind farms. There is also detailed guidance for practitioners in the companion guides supporting both PPSs.
	The Department also makes available guidance on community involvement in wind energy development which can be downloaded at
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/energy/sources/renewables/policy/renewables-advisory-board/community-involvment-wind/guidance-local-authority-officers/page35088.html.
	In addition, the guidance on applications for large-scale energy developments (over 50MW) under Section 36 of the Electricity Act 1989 makes clear the need to ensure that local communities are consulted at an early stage. This can be downloaded at
	http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file42017.pdf.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Carers' Benefits

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with representatives of carers' interest groups on proposals for payments of carer's allowance to people who have retired from work and continue to care for relatives.

Jonathan R Shaw: In our Carers Strategy, published in June 2008, we set out our vision of the support we aim to provide for carers over the next 10 years. In developing our Carers Strategy, we conducted one of the most in-depth and widespread consultations ever held on carers' issues. This included discussions with carers' interest groups on a wide range of benefit issues.
	People who have retired from work but continue to care for relatives are not excluded from claiming carer's allowance. Although carer's allowance will not usually be payable where state pension is in payment, the person can still access the carer premium, currently 27.75 a week, in the income-related benefits such as housing benefit and council tax benefit, or the equivalent additional amount for carers in pension credit. In addition, where someone would receive less from state pension than from carer's allowance, an amount of carer's allowance can be paid to make up the difference.

Children: Maintenance

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many benefit claimants in  (a) Great Britain,  (b) each region and  (c) each London borough did not receive the full child support payment in each of the last 12 months.

Kitty Ussher: The administration of the child maintenance system is a matter for the Commissioner of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many claimants in  (a) Great Britain  (b) each region and  (c) each London borough did not receive the full child support payment in each of the last 12 months.
	It should be noted that the Child Maintenance and Other Payments Act 2008 made changes to the way child maintenance is paid to parents with care in receipt of income based benefits. Prior to 27 October 2008, the Child Support Agency, on behalf of the Secretary of State, was required to retain a proportion of child maintenance received in respect of parents with care in receipt of income based benefits. From 27 October 2008, the Agency forwards all maintenance received and parents with care in receipt of benefits will need to inform Jobcentre Plus about any maintenance they have received.
	The information you have requested in respect of the number of cases where the non-resident parent paid all, part or none of the child maintenance due in the previous quarter is included in the tables which have been placed in the Library.
	Some non-resident parents will go to great lengths to avoid fulfilling their responsibilities to their children. The Child Support Agency has made improvements to how it is collecting and enforcing maintenance and is now consistently collecting and arranging record amounts of child maintenance, with over 1.1 billion collected or arranged in the year to the end of December 2008.
	I hope you find this answer helpful.
	
		
			  Table A: Maintenance Outcome by Government Office Region and London Local Authority  March 2008 
			   Number  Percentage 
			   None  Full  Over 1-20  Over 20-40  Over 40- 60  Over 60-80  Over 80 to under 100 
			 Agency 276,800 402,500 15,700 20,700 23,300 37,000 48,500 
			 
			  Government Office Region
			 East Midlands 20,500 29,700 1,000 1,500 1,700 2,800 3,400 
			 Eastern 22,900 33,900 1,100 1,800 1,800 2,900 3,500 
			 London 27,600 31,100 1,400 1,900 2,200 3,200 4,100 
			 North East 17,500 23,700 1,300 1,400 1,700 2,500 3,400 
			 North West 34,500 53,400 2,200 2,700 3,300 5,800 7,500 
			 Scotland 25,500 35,200 1,700 2,100 2,200 3,300 4,700 
			 South East 34,000 54,500 1,700 2,300 2,400 3,900 5,200 
			 South West 23,100 40,400 1,200 1,600 1,800 3,100 3,800 
			 Wales 15,000 24,400 900 1,200 1,400 2,400 3,400 
			 West Midlands 26,000 38,400 1,700 2,200 2,500 3,600 4,600 
			 Yorkshire/Humber 29,100 37,200 1,500 2,100 2,300 3,500 4,600 
			 
			  London  local authority
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,160 1,220 40 60 70 120 160 
			 Barnet 1,000 910 50 50 50 70 120 
			 Bexley 1,070 1,460 40 50 80 110 140 
			 Brent 750 820 30 40 70 90 130 
			 Bromley 920 1260 40 50 80 80 120 
			 Camden 570 590 30 30 30 50 90 
			 City of London 10 10  
			 Croydon 1,770 1,910 110 130 130 200 260 
			 Ealing 970 1,170 50 80 110 180 130 
			 Enfield 1,320 1,260 70 80 100 180 200 
			 Greenwich 1,210 1,220 70 90 100 200 210 
			 Hackney 690 750 50 50 50 110 110 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 490 440 30 30 50 90 140 
			 Haringey 890 790 50 70 70 70 120 
			 Harrow 510 720 20 50 40 110 40 
			 Havering 750 1,350 30 60 90 50 140 
			 Hillingdon 940 1,140 50 80 70 70 150 
			 Hounslow 840 1,200 40 50 80 110 150 
			 Islington 850 790 30 50 60 90 110 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 320 390 10 20 20 20 60 
			 Kingston upon Thames 320 540 20 30 20 60 50 
			 Lambeth 1,330 1,100 100 90 110 140 200 
			 Lewisham 1,490 1,350 80 140 130 170 150 
			 Merton 660 790 40 70 50 70 100 
			 Newham 950 990 50 70 80 90 140 
			 Redbridge 810 970 40 40 50 90 130 
			 Richmond upon Thames 330 600 30 10 10 20 50 
			 Southwark 1,400 1,350 80 100 110 170 180 
			 Sutton 610 1,030 50 30 50 120 80 
			 Tower Hamlets 700 710 40 50 70 60 90 
			 Waltham Forest 860 1,010 40 60 60 90 210 
			 Wandsworth 740 780 40 80 70 100 110 
			 Westminster 390 500 30 30 40 40 70

Children: Maintenance

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many new applications have been made to the Child Support Agency by  (a) parents with care claiming income support and  (b) other parents with care in each of the last 24 months.

Kitty Ussher: The Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission is responsible for the child maintenance system. I have therefore asked the Child Maintenance Commissioner to write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Stephen Geraghty:
	In reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Child Maintenance Commissioner as the Child Support Agency is now the responsibility of the Child Maintenance and Enforcement Commission.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new applications have been made to the Child Support Agency by (a) parents with care claiming income support and (b) other parents with care in each of the last 24 months.
	Information on the number of applications received each month is routinely published in Table 2.1 of the Child Support Agency Quarterly Summary of Statistics (QSS). The latest copy of which is in the House of Commons library or online at the following link:
	http://www.childmaintenance.org/publications/statistics.html
	The Child Maintenance and other Payments Act 2008 changed the nature of the relationship between the child maintenance and benefits systems; ending the compulsion on parents with care in receipt of income based benefits to use the Child Support Agency. Prior to 14 July 2008 all parents with care making a new application for either Income Support or income based Jobseekers Allowance were compelled to make an application for child maintenance to the Child Support Agency. The Agency therefore recorded information on new applications distinguishing between those notified by Jobcentre Plus in respect of parents claiming Income Support and Jobseekers Allowance or those which were classed as a 'private' application made by either parent without compulsion.
	Such information as is available on child maintenance applications by source is provided in the attached table.
	
		
			  Current scheme applications by source of application 
			   Jobcentre Plus applications  Private applications 
			 January 2007 19,000 5,600 
			 February 2007 27,700 5,900 
			 March 2007 21,400 5,900 
			 April 2007 16,500 5,900 
			 May 2007 18,800 6,000 
			 June 2007 19,600 6,400 
			 July 2007 18,600 6,100 
			 August 2007 20,300 6,400 
			 September 2007 18,600 6,400 
			 October 2007 20,300 7,100 
			 November 2007 20,900 6,100 
			 December 2007 14,100 4,000 
			 January 2008 21,300 6,900 
			 February 2008 20,500 6,500 
			 March 2008 15,700 6,000 
			 April 2008 17,800 6,700 
			 May 2008 16,200 6,300 
			 June 2008 17,400 6,700 
			 July 2008 18,500 6,700 
			 August 2008 10,600 5,900 
			 September 2008 5,100 6,800 
			 October 2008 900 7,000 
			 November 2008  7,300 
			 December 2008  5,300 
			  Notes: 1. A change in legislation in October 2008 removed the compulsion for parents with care on income based benefit (Income Support or Jobseeker's Allowance (Income Based)) to pursue a claim for child support through the Agency. After this date, it is expected that some parents with care will opt to end their child support claim with CSA. This can be seen as a fall in overall caseload after October 2008. 2. In the run up to the change, a further legislative repeal in July 2008 means that single parents making a new claim for income based benefit will no longer be referred to CSA. Some will make direct arrangements with the Agency, but they are not compelled to do so. This change can be seen as a huge fall (to zero) in the numbers of potential new claims received directly from Jobcentre Plus from October 2008. 3. All cases received from October 2008 were classed as private intake. Any cases that were received from this time will be classed as private intake regardless of benefit status. 4. Jobcentre Plus applications include all applications originating from Jobcentre Plus where the parent with care is in receipt of Income Support or income based Jobseekers' Allowance at the time of application. It is not possible to identify those on Income Support separately.

Cold Weather Payments: Leyton

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been paid in cold weather payments to people in Leyton and Wanstead constituency in 2008-09.

Kitty Ussher: Estimates of cold weather payment expenditure in 2008-09 to date are not available by parliamentary constituency or local authority, but only by weather station.

Community Care Grants

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what budget his Department allocated for community care grants in 2007-08;
	(2)  what the maximum sum awarded to  (a) an individual and  (b) a family was under the community care grant in 2007-08;
	(3)  how many individuals received community care grants  (a) once and  (b) more than once in 2007-08;
	(4)  how many asylum seekers have received community care grants in each of the last five years.

Kitty Ussher: The Department allocated a budget of 141 million for community care grants for Great Britain in 2007-08. There was also a contingency reserve of 1 million, which was available to cover unforeseen spending, for example, on flooding.
	The remaining information requested is not available.
	However, the maximum community care grant awarded in 2007-08 for all successful applicants (as opposed to individuals and families separately) was 5,081.46. The number of successful applicants (as opposed to individuals) who received community care grants in 2007-08  (a) once was 229,100 and  (b) more than once was 23,900 (both figures rounded to the nearest 100).
	 Source
	Analysis of a scan of Community Care Grant final decisions taken in 2007-08 and held on the Social Fund Computer System on 31 July 2008. A final decision is either an initial decision or a review decision. An application is successful if an award is made initially and/or on review. Successful applications on which initial decisions were made before 2007-08, but which were reviewed in 2007-08 are included. Successful applications on which initial decisions were made in 2007-08 but which were reviewed after the year ended are not included.

Council Tax Benefits

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of  (a) housing benefit and  (b) council tax benefit recipients were (i) pensioners and (ii) of working age in each local authority area in each of the last 24 months; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: The latest available information has been placed in the Library.
	Information is not available broken down by month.

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many children living in poverty live in households which are not eligible for  (a) full and  (b) partial council tax benefit.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 6 March 2009
	 Estimates of the population entitled to council tax benefit among children in households below average income are not available.
	The latest estimates of take-up of and entitlement to means-tested benefits in Great Britain, covering income support, pension credit, housing benefit, council tax benefit and jobseeker's allowance (income based) are published in the report Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 2006-07. This report has been placed in the Library.

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) pensioners and  (b) people of working age are (i) in receipt of council tax benefit and (ii) eligible for council tax benefit and live in households where no one is eligible to pay income tax.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 6 March 2009
	The information requested is in the table.
	
		
			  Total number of recipients of council tax benefit in Great Britain aged under/over 60: August 2007 
			   Number 
			 Number of benefit units in receipt of council tax benefit 5,079,080 
			 Number of benefit units in receipt of council tax benefit where claimant aged 60 and over 2,528,950 
			 Number of benefit units in receipt of council tax benefit where claimant aged 59 and under 2,550,140 
			  Notes: 1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple. 2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest ten. 3. Figures for any non-responding authorities have been estimated. 4. Council tax benefit totals exclude any second adult rebate cases. 5. Totals may not sum due to rounding. 6. From February 2007, DWP has been collecting more detailed HB/CTB data electronically from local authorities. Over time this will improve the accuracy, timeliness and level of detail available in the published statistics. However, until the new data have been fully quality assured to National Statistics standards, the most recent summary statistics available are for August 2007. 7. Administrative HB/CTB Information contains two age breakdowns on the basis of the age of individual who makes the claim (i) those under the age of 60 and (ii) those aged 60 and over. Therefore 'Pensioners' refers to recipient benefit units where the person who claimed is aged 60 or over: the partner may be under 60.  Source: Housing benefit and council tax benefit management information system quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in August 2007. 
		
	
	Analysis of the Family Resources survey for 2006-07 suggests that 61 per cent. of pensioners entitled to council tax benefit are not liable to pay income tax.
	For people of working age 81 per cent. of families entitled to council tax benefit are not liable to pay income tax.
	These estimates refer to Great Britain and are based on survey data and modelling so are subject to sample variation and to other forms of errors.

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) pensioners and  (b) people of working age at each household income level are (i) in receipt of and (ii) eligible for council tax benefit.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 6 March 2009
	 The table gives the available information on council tax benefit recipients and eligible population by household income bands, for 2006-07 in Great Britain.
	
		
			  Percentage 
			  Banded weekly household income  (i) Recipients of council tax benefit  (ii) Entitled population to council tax benefit 
			  (a) Pensioners   
			 Less than 100 a week 2 4 
			 100 but less than 200 36 38 
			 200 but less than 300 40 36 
			 300 but less than 400 16 15 
			 400 but less than 500 4 4 
			 More than 500 2 4 
			 Total 100 100 
			
			  (b) Non Pensioners   
			 Less than 100 a week 4 7 
			 100 but less than 200 33 26 
			 200 but less than 300 34 29 
			 300 but less than 400 16 17 
			 400 but less than 500 7 10 
			 More than 500 6 10 
			 Total 100 100 
			  Notes:  1. The data refer to household incomes. Note that a household income can be higher than the income of the family receiving council tax benefit, as a household can contain two or more families.  2. The figures are presented as proportions because point estimates of the entitled population are potentially misleading given the presence of sample bias.  3. Council tax benefit totals include second adult rebate cases.  4. Pensioner families are defined as where at least one person aged 60 or more.  Source:  Family Resources Survey Data 2006-07.

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the 2009-10 personal allowance for council tax benefit is for  (a) single people aged under 25 and lone parents aged under 18,  (b) single people aged 25 to 59 and lone parents aged 18 to 59,  (c) single people aged 60 or over,  (d) couples where both partners are aged under 18,  (e) couples where the older partner is aged 18 to 59 and  (f) couples where the older partner is aged 60 or over.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The information is in the table.
	
		
			  Council tax benefit personal allowance rates for 2009-10 
			
			 Single people aged under 25 50.95 
			 Lone parent aged under 18 0 
			 Single people aged 25-59 (or any age entitled to main phase ESA) 64.30 
			 Lone parents aged 18-59 64.30 
			 Single person/lone parent aged 60-64 130.00 
			 Single person/lone parent aged 65 or over 150.40 
			 Couples, both partners aged under 18 0 
			 Couples where older partner is aged 18-59 100.95 
			 Couples where one or both are aged 60 or over, but both are aged under 65 198.45 
			 Couples where one or both are aged 65 or over 225.50 
			  Notes: 1. Nil rate quoted as a person must be aged 18 or over in order to be liable for council tax. 2. Rates quoted above do not include any additional allowances which might be applicable, for example in respect of children.  Source: Following the uprating statement to Parliament made by right hon. Tony McNulty MP on 11 December 2008, DWP issued a press release giving details of the benefit uprating: www.dwp.gov.uk/mediacentre/pressreleases/2008/dec/NewBenefitRates.pdf Local authorities were informed of the new rates in HB/CTB Circular A27/2008, a copy of which is at: www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/user-communications/circulars/2008/a27-2008.pdf

Council Tax Benefits

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the minimum level of  (a) weekly and  (b) annual household income is at which a household is no longer eligible for (i) full and (ii) partial full council tax benefit for (A) a single pensioner, (B) a pensioner couple, (C) a working-age single person, (D) a working-age couple, (E) a lone parent with one child and (F) two parents with one child.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The level of income at which income extinguishes entitlement to council tax benefit (CTB) will depend upon the liability for council tax as well as the individuals' personal circumstances. For this reason, it is not possible to provide income figures in the way envisaged in the question.
	People receiving the guarantee credit element of pension credit, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance or income-related employment support allowance are deemed to have no income or capital and they receive maximum CTB (subject to any standard deductions for any non-dependant household member).
	People not receiving the income-related benefits listed above will have their CTB assessed on the basis of an applicable amount. The amount is made up of personal allowances and premiums. The personal allowances vary according to age and whether a person is single or one of a married or unmarried couple. The premiums are awarded to those groups identified as having extra needs, for example, long term sick or disabled people and elderly people.
	If net income is equal to or is less than the applicable amount, the customer will receive an amount equal to 100 per cent. of their council tax liability less any non-dependant deductions. If net income is more than the applicable amount, the customer will get less CTB. For each pound of extra income over the applicable amount, an adjustment of 20 pence will be made (this is the CTB taper).
	In addition, anyone with savings, investments and other capital valued at more than 16,000 will not normally qualify for CTB. Capital of 6,000 or less is ignored. Capital of between 6,000 and 16,000 will be deemed to provide a weekly income of 1 for every 250 (or part thereof) if the person is aged less than 60, or 1 for every 500 (or part thereof) if they are 60 or over.
	The following tables set out the applicable amounts, and hence the level at which customers begin to start paying some council tax for the client groups listed in the question.
	
		
			  Pensioners  Starts to pay some council tax when net income exceeds () 
			 Single person aged 60-64 124.05 
			 Single person aged 65 or over 143.80 
			 Couple, one or both aged 60 or over, but both aged under 65 189.35 
			 Couple, one or both aged 65 or over 215.50 
		
	
	
		
			  Working age  Starts to pay some council tax when net income exceeds () 
			 Single person aged under 25 47.95 
			 Single person aged over 25 60.50 
			 Couple 94.95 
			 Single parent with one dependent child aged under one 140.34 
			 Single parent with one dependent child aged one or over 129.84 
			 Couple with one dependent child aged under one 174.79 
			 Couple with one dependent child aged one or over 164.29 
			  Notes: 1. All examples assume no disabilities/no childcare costs/no non-dependants.  2. Rates are for current year (2008-09).

Departmental Aviation

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many journeys  (a) he and his predecessors and  (b) his officials made by aeroplane in the course of their duties in each of the last five years.

Jonathan R Shaw: The information requested could be provided only at disproportionate costs. Travel by Ministers and civil servants are undertaken in accordance with the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code respectively.

Departmental Surveys

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on staff surveys in each of the last five years; and which companies were contracted to carry out the surveys.

Jonathan R Shaw: The costs for DWP surveys in the last five years are as follows:
	
		
			
			 2004-05 (1)110,000 
			 2005-06 (1)99,595 
			 2006-07 (2)47,041 
			 2007-08 (1)114,535 
			 2008-09 (1)115,245 
			 (1) Full census. (2) 20 per cent. sample. 
		
	
	The survey supplier for all these surveys was ORC International.

Departmental Training

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether his Department has provided voice coaching to any of its employees in the last 12 months.

Jonathan R Shaw: The Department does provide training on voice coaching to our contact centre staff, which includes a one-hour module on voice training and acoustic shock (the shock caused by sudden/loud noises on the telephone) and training on techniques in speaking clearly, explaining well and the importance of voice care. In addition to this, line managers provide coaching on the use of language and vocal tone as part of their normal call monitoring processes.

Incapacity Benefit: North East

Ronnie Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in  (a) Blyth Valley constituency and  (b) the North East over the age of 60 years are in receipt of incapacity benefit.

Jonathan R Shaw: The available information is in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of people claiming incapacity benefit/severe disablement allowance aged 60 and over in Blyth Valley parliamentary constituency, north east and north west government office regionsAugust 2008 
			   Claimants over 60 
			 Blyth Valley 700 
			 North East 23,340 
			 North West 53,610 
			  Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Data available on: www.nomisweb.co.uk  Source: The Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate 100 per cent. Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study

Jobcentre Plus

Mike Wood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many local drug jobcentre co-ordinators his Department plans to employ; and what percentage of Jobcentre Plus offices will have a dedicated local drug jobcentre co-ordinator by October 2009;
	(2)  at what Civil Service payband local drug jobcentre co-ordinators will be employed; and if he will place in the Library a copy of the job specification for this role.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 5 March 2009
	The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide my hon. Friend with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your questions about Jobcentre Plus Drug Co-ordinators including how many will be employed; what percentage of Jobcentre Plus offices they will cover; which grade they will be; and whether a job specification can be made available. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The introduction of Drug Co-ordinators is a joint initiative between Jobcentre Plus, the Department of Health (DH) and the National Treatment Agency (NTA) which has been put in place to support the National Drugs Strategy Drugs-Protecting Families and Communities. As part of this, the DH has put 9 million into funding the posts from 2009-2011.
	As responsibility for health is a devolved matter in Scotland and Wales, the DH can only fund Drug Co-ordinators in England, however, we will continue to work with officials in Scotland and Wales to try to ensure customers in these countries will have similar provision in the future.
	We are currently recruiting to fill 63 Drug Co-ordinator posts at Band D (HEO) level. We will have at least one Drug Co-ordinator in place within each of our districts in England and they will be further supported by one of nine Strategic Lead posts (filled at Band F/Grade 7) which will be based within their region.
	The decision to put in place district-based Drug Co-ordinators was based on research carried out by Glasgow University in 2006. The research provided information about the number of known problem drug users in specific geographical areas.
	We already have eight Drug Co-ordinators in post, and expect that a further 52 will be in place by the end of March, with the remaining three posts being filled during April. We expect that well before October, all of the posts will have been filled and we will have a dedicated Drug Co-ordinator in post within every Jobcentre Plus district in England.
	Whilst the Drug Co-ordinator posts are based at district level, part of their job is to ensure that customer-facing advisers within their district are aware of the help and support that we will be able to offer customers.
	This means that a customer attending any Jobcentre Plus office in England who declares they are a problem drug user, will be offered a referral to a discussion with a treatment provider.
	I have attached a Drug Co-ordinator Job Description at Annex 1, and a copy of this will be placed in the Library.

Jobcentre Plus: Telephone Services

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many  (a) staff and  (b) full-time equivalent staff are employed to answer calls to Jobcentre Plus helplines; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.
	 Letter from Mel Groves:
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many staff and full-time equivalent staff are employed to answer calls to Jobcentre Plus helplines. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Acting Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	As at 30 November 2008 the number of staff employed to answer calls in Contact Centre Directorate was 5,756, and the Full Time Equivalent was 5,210.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households his Department estimates will obtain Government support for unemployed homeowners to pay interest charges on their mortgages.

Kitty Ussher: We are currently revising our projections for jobseeker's allowance, and within this the number of claimant unemployed who are receiving support for mortgage interest, and updated projections will be published following the Budget.
	In November 2008, 5,000 jobseeker's allowance claimants received support for mortgage interest, but we would expect this figure to rise in response to increasing unemployment and recent policy changes making support for mortgage interest available from three months into the claim.

Mortgages: Government Assistance

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effect of recent changes to the support for mortgage interest element of benefits; and how many households he estimates will benefit from the extension of this element of benefits to homeowners who have been unemployed for 13 weeks or more.

Kitty Ussher: At this time we do not have data to provide actual figures on the number of people who are being helped under the new support for mortgage interest rules.
	It should be noted that since these changes were brought in on the 5 January, the impact on new claims would not show up until the end of the 13 week waiting period in early April 2009; although the extension of the reforms to cover those who have already served a waiting period over 13 weeks, and the six-month freeze of the standard interest rate, will mean that customers have started benefiting already.
	We are currently revising our caseload and expenditure projections for jobseeker's allowance, and within this the number of claimant unemployed who are receiving support for mortgage interest. Updated projections will be published following the Budget.
	In November 2008, 5,000 jobseeker's allowance claimants received support for mortgage interest, but we would expect this figure to rise in response to increasing unemployment and recent policy changes making support for mortgage interest available from three months into the claim.

Nuclear Power Stations

Kim Howells: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what factors underlie the length of time scheduled for generic design assessment work on the three nuclear reactor designs identified as suitable for construction in the UK;
	(2)  if he will estimate the additional  (a) staff and  (b) resources required to enable the Health and Safety Executive and the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate to complete the generic design assessment work on the three nuclear reactor designs for future construction in the UK in half the time presently scheduled.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	The factors affecting the length of time that generic design assessment will take are given at paragraph 24 of the joint guidance New Nuclear Power Stations, Generic Design AssessmentA guide to the regulatory process published by HSE and the Environment Agency in August 2008. These include:
	The content, quality and timeliness of the submissions;
	The completeness of the design;
	The introduction of design changes;
	The significance of assessment issues arising;
	The responsiveness of requesting parties to issues and questions;
	The availability of resources to the regulators;
	The ability to make best use of information from overseas nuclear regulators;
	The number of designs being assessed in parallel; and
	The experience of the regulators with similar reactor designs.
	Given that resource is only one of these factors, the HSE does not believe that it is feasible for its Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) to complete GDA in half the time presently scheduled, irrespective of the numbers of staff or resources available.

Nuclear Power Stations

Kim Howells: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made on generic design assessment work proceeding on the  (a) AP100,  (b) economic simplified boiling water and  (c) UK EPR designs for nuclear reactors; and if he will make a statement.

Mike O'Brien: I have been asked to reply.
	The nuclear regulators have completed GDA Steps 1 and 2 for four reactor designs (AECL's ACR1000, Areva's European Pressurised Water Reactor (EPR), GE-Hitachi's ESBWR and Toshiba-Westinghouse's API000) and a series of reports were published on the Health and Safety Executive's website in March 2008.
	ACR-1000 and ESBWR have been, respectively, withdrawn and suspended from the GDA process at the request of the vendors.
	HSE's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (NII) is currently part-way through step 3 of a four step assessment process. NII aims to publish its step 3 findings in November 2009 and its step 4 findings in June 2011.
	The Environment Agency (EA) is also part way through its detailed assessment process. EA aim to publicly consult on their initial findings in 2010 and publish their final reports by June 2011.

Pension Protection Fund

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has for the future funding of the Pension Protection Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The funding of the Pension Protection Fund is a matter for the Board of the Pension Protection Fund, an independent statutory corporation. The PPF is funded through a pension protection levy that is charged to all eligible defined-benefit occupational pension schemes, assets from schemes that transfer in to the PPF and investment returns. The Board made a commitment in August 2007 to collect 675 million a year for the next three years, indexed to earnings, so long as there was no significant change in risk. The Board intends to collect 700 million in 2009-10, keeping to that commitment. A consultation on the future development of the pension protection levy for 2011-12 and beyond concluded on 13 February 2009 and the Board is currently considering the responses received.

Pension Protection Fund

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the compatibility with the European Convention on Human Rights of the Pension Protection Fund cap and its provisions relating to reductions for early retirement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 5 March 2009
	Our assessment is that the Pension Protection Fund (PPF) cap and its provisions relating to early retirement are consistent with ECHR. It ensures consistent treatment, based on age, relative to the qualifying insolvency event, (the trigger for entry to the PPF). It also ensures that people who take early retirement before the insolvency event are not placed in a more beneficial position than people who stay in employment.

Pensioners

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent assessment his Department has made of the effect of increases in living costs on pensioners; and what steps his Department is taking to assist pensioners affected by such increases.

Rosie Winterton: There is a statutory requirement to review all social security benefits each year and to consider whether they have retained their value in relation to the general level of prices. (The standard minimum guarantee in pension credit must be reviewed against the general level of earnings). A further requirement calls for certain benefits, including the state pension, to be up-rated at least in line with the increase in prices from April of the following year.
	Following the most recent review, that took place in the autumn of last year, the rate of full basic state pension that will apply from this April will be 95.25. This amounts to an increase in the current rate of 4.55, which is in line with inflation as measured last September, when the Retail Prices Index was 5 per cent. This increase, against a backdrop of falling inflation, is in line with the highest increase in inflation last year and the biggest increase in the state pension since 2001. The increase in the standard minimum guarantee in pension credit to 130 for single pensioners (198.45 for pensioner couples) from April more than keeps pace with earnings and represents the highest up-lift since it was introduced in 2003.
	Furthermore, in order to provide direct financial support through the economic downturn pensioners have also received additional winter fuel payments this year that have increased the payments to 250 for eligible households with someone aged 60 to 79 and 400 for eligible households with someone aged over 80. In addition, for this year the Department has increased the Christmas bonus from 10 to 70 and increased the cold weather payment from 8.50 to 25.

Pensions: Forecasts

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many requests for pension forecasts the Pension Service has received in each of the last 12 months; how many and what proportion of those forecasts were set  (a) within 10 days,  (b) between 10 and 20 days,  (c) between 20 and 30 days,  (d) between one and two months and  (e) two months and longer of receipt of the request; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The information is not available to enable the separation of the number of requests for Individual Pension Forecasts from the total number of inquiries received via the Pension Forecasting IT service. Therefore the information given relates to the total number of forecasts issued.
	The number of customers who have been issued with an Individual Pension Forecast via the Pensions Forecasting IT system in the last 12 months is in the following table.
	
		
			   Within 10 days  Between 10 and 19 days  Between 20 and 30 days  Between one and two months  Over two months  Total 
			   No.  %  No.  %  No.  %  No.  %  No.  %  No.  % 
			  2008 
			 February 23,484 86.08 1,396 5.12 660 2.42 306 1.12 1,437 5.27 27,283 100 
			 March 21,109 87.10 627 2.59 768 3.17 226 0.93 1,505 6.21 24,235 100 
			 April 21,838 87.17 514 2.05 778 3.11 278 1.11 1,643 6.56 25,051 100 
			 May 15,931 88.03 183 1.01 681 3.76 128 0.71 1,174 6.49 18,097 100 
			 June 15,868 88.45 143 0.80 259 1.44 474 2.64 1,197 6.67 17,941 100 
			 July 17,656 86.83 399 1.96 561 2.76 519 2.55 1,199 5.90 20,334 100 
			 August 20,599 88.17 690 2.95 755 3.23 525 2.25 793 3.39 23,362 100 
			 September 44,458 94.36 1,401 2.97 706 1.50 378 0.80 173 0.37 47,116 100 
			 October 51,550 93.61 1,507 2.74 1,256 2.28 568 1.03 186 0.34 55,067 100 
			 November 54,177 94.65 1,551 2.71 921 1.61 486 0.85 105 0.18 57,240 100 
			 December 41,330 96.53 666 1.56 529 1.24 261 0.61 31 0.07 42,817 100 
			  
			  2009 
			 January 65,057 97.05 981 1.46 858 1.28 70 0.10 n/a n/a 66,966 100 
		
	
	The number of customers who received an Individual Pension Forecast from the e-service Real Time Pension Forecasting system is in the following table. All forecasts are produced in real time.
	
		
			  Month  Number of forecasts issued 
			  2008  
			 February 5,318 
			 March 5,883 
			 April 6,350 
			 May 4,395 
			 June 2,957 
			 July 26,353 
			 August 25,453 
			 September 27,759 
			 October 31,061 
			 November 35,490 
			 December 23,731 
			   
			  2009  
			 January 35,264 
			 Total 230,014 
		
	
	PDCS also provided state pension information to pension providers to enable 1,093,986 Combined Pension forecasts to be produced in the period September 2008 to January 2009.

Pensions: Forecasts

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when his Department resumed sending out pension forecasts in response to requests from people who reach pension age after 6 April 2010; how many  (a) requests have been received and  (b) forecasts have been sent since the resumption; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department offers three channels for pensions forecasts: e-service, telephone, and post.
	The real-time e-service resumed on 30 June 2008. This system does not provide information on the age of the customers who have requested a forecast, and therefore the Department is unable to tell how many of the users of the service reach pension age on or after 6 April 2010.
	For customers who reach state pension age on or after 6 April 2010, the Pension Forecast service resumed on 26 August 2008 for requests made by telephone or post to the Pension Forecasting IT service. 202,761 customers received a state pension forecast between 26 August 2008 and close of business on 24 February 2009.

Repossession Orders

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to amend the rules governing eligibility for assistance with mortgage interest payment to include circumstances where the redundancy of one family member exposes the family to the risk of mortgage payment default and repossession; and if he will make a statement.

Kitty Ussher: Support for mortgage interest is available to those homeowners who qualify for one of the income-related benefits, income support, income-based jobseeker's allowance, income-related employment and support allowance or pension credit. It is an integral component of those benefits. Couples are treated as a single unit in these benefits and if one member of a couple is in remunerative work of 24-hours or more, or has income which exceeds their entitlement, then they cannot receive the benefit. Only those couples who are not in remunerative work and who meet the other qualifying conditions of the benefit can receive support for mortgage interest. This is intended to ensure that resources are directed to where they are most needed and there are no plans to change this policy.
	Support for mortgage interest is not the only form of help for homeowners in difficulty paying their mortgages. For example, the Government's Mortgage Rescue scheme provides 200 million to support up to 6,000 of the most vulnerable homeowners facing repossession to remain in their home. The Homeowner Mortgage Support scheme, which we expect to be open for business with the first lenders in April, will help ensure hard working people, including couples, who suffer a temporary loss of income can stay in their home. Both schemes are being led by Communities and Local Government.

Social Fund

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the budget of the Social Fund for crisis loans was in each of the last 12 years.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 5 March 2009
	There is no separate budget for crisis loans, but rather a combined loans budget for both crisis loans and budgeting loans. The following table gives the final gross loans budget and crisis loan gross expenditure for each of the last 12 years.
	
		
			  Social fund loans in Great Britain 
			   million 
			   Final gross loans budget  Crisis loan gross expenditure 
			 1997-98 397.5 54.3 
			 1998-99 404.9 58.9 
			 1999-2000 457.9 61.5 
			 2000-01 524.6 65.3 
			 2001-02 547.7 74.9 
			 2002-03 548.9 84.6 
			 2003-04 578.0 85.1 
			 2004-05 585.0 81.9 
			 2005-06 609.0 86.4 
			 2006-07 700.0 97.9 
			 2007-08 642.0 121.2 
			 2008-09 624.0 (1)132.6 
			 (1) To 31 January.  Source: Annual reports by the Secretary of State for Social Security/Work and Pensions on the Social Fund (with greater accuracy for Crisis Loan expenditure than in the annual reports for the first three years obtained from the DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System).

Social Fund

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of crisis loan applications resulted in an award being made in each of the last 12 years.

Kitty Ussher: holding answer 5 March 2009
	 The available information is given in the table.
	
		
			  Crisis loan applications for Great Britain 
			   Percentage of applications resulting in an initial award 
			 1997-98 75.9 
			 1998-99 76.2 
			 1999-2000 72.5 
			 2000-01 72.0 
			 2001-02 74.6 
			 2002-03 76.3 
			 2003-04 75.9 
			 2004-05 75.1 
			 2005-06 74.5 
			 2006-07 74.4 
			 2007-08 68.5 
			 April 2008 to January 2009 67.8 
			  Notes: 1. Figures do not include awards made after review. 2. Percentages are based on applications processed in each year, not on applications received in each year.  Source: Annual reports by the Secretary of State for Social Security/Work and Pensions on the Social Fund (with greater accuracy than in the annual reports for the first three years obtained from the DWP Social Fund Policy, Budget and Management Information System or departmental records).

Social Fund: Bexley

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Social Fund applications by residents in the London Borough of Bexley were  (a) successful and  (b) unsuccessful in each of the last five years; and how much was paid to such residents from the fund in each of those years.

Kitty Ussher: The information requested is not available. Social Fund data are not held by London borough, but by Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget area (or, before such budget areas were used for the administration of the Social Fund, by Jobcentre Plus district, and, prior to that, by Social Fund district). Since May 2002, there have been several changes to the boundaries of administrative areas. As a result, data which can be compared across time are available for all Jobcentre Plus Social Fund budget areas from September 2006 only.

Social Security Benefits: Lone Parents

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what his Department's target is for the number of visits to be made by compliance officers to lone parents who have been sanctioned for failing to attend a work-focused interview; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of lone parents under benefits sanctions for failing to attend a work-focused interview have been visited by a compliance officer in each month since such interviews became compulsory; and if he will make a statement
	(3)  if he will place in the Library a copy of his Department's standard letter issued to lone parents claiming income support after they have failed to attend a work-focused interview and failed to show good cause.

Kitty Ussher: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Mel Groves. I have asked him to provide the hon. Member with the information requested.

Widowed Parents Allowance

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have made a late claim for  (a) widowed parents allowance and  (b) bereavement allowance in each of the last five years; how many people claiming bereavement allowance have been refused on the grounds that the claim was submitted after more than 12 months from the death of their partner in the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the proportion of those eligible for bereavement benefits to have claimed them in the last five years.

Kitty Ussher: The information is not available.

INNOVATION, UNIVERSITIES AND SKILLS

Departmental Art Works

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills which works of art from the Government Art Collection each Minister in his Department has selected for display in a private office.

Si�n Simon: The following works of art from the Government Art Collection are displayed in Lord Drayson's private office:
	Daphne Reynolds'The Watchers'';
	John Piper'St James the Less, Westminster';
	David Bomberg'London River'.
	The following works of art from the Government Art Collection are displayed in Sin Simon's private office:
	Howard Hodgkin'Blood';
	Howard Hodgkin'Sand'.
	Other Ministers in this Department do not have works of art from the Government Art Collection displayed in their private offices.

Departmental Visits Abroad

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills how much expenditure was incurred in respect of overseas visits which  (a) he,  (b) other Ministers in his Department and  (c) his Department's senior officials undertook in 2008.

Si�n Simon: Since 1999, the Government have published a list of all overseas travel by Cabinet Ministers costing over 500. Information for the financial year 2007-08 was published on 22 July 2008,  Official Report, column 102WS, and for the first time included details of overseas visits undertaken by all Ministers. All travel by Ministers is undertaken in accordance with the 'Ministerial Code'. Information going beyond what is already published can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Foreign Students: USA

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what support his Department  (a) offers and  (b) plans to offer to help cover the travel costs of British students who take a term of study in the United States.

David Lammy: English-domiciled students studying in the UK who wish to take up a term of study of their course in the United States may be eligible to receive a grant to help cover the related travel costs. To qualify for the grant the student must be attending the overseas university or college for at least half the length of an academic quarter, which normally corresponds to a term. The grant meets the costs of:
	travel within and outside the UK in order to attend the university or college
	medical insurance for treatment provided outside the United Kingdom
	visas required to attend the overseas institution
	medical costs incurred to meet a mandatory condition of entry into a country (e.g. vaccination costs).
	The grant is subject to an income assessment and the first 295 of travel costs incurred is not covered by the grant.
	DIUS has responsibility for higher education in England only. The devolved administrations have responsibility for it in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Higher Education

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what plans he has to re-introduce polytechnic colleges into the higher education system.

David Lammy: There are no plans to reintroduce polytechnic colleges into the higher education system. Publicly funded degrees should offer the range and balance of qualifications which students and the wider economy require in the future and to do this the higher education system may need to ensure that there are more opportunities provided to individuals to enter by vocational routes. Although some institutions will meet a greater proportion of this need than others, this does not mean the re-establishment of the polytechnic divide.

Higher Education: Anti-Semitism

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to reduce levels of anti-Semitism in universities; and if he will make a statement.

David Lammy: This Government deplore acts of racial or religious intolerance and we are committed to tackling anti-Semitism and any form of racial intolerance. Higher education institutions have the primary responsibility for ensuring that their students are not subject to threatening or abusive behaviour on campus and addressing any complaints received.
	We are committed to encouraging higher education institutions to ensure that discrimination has no place in any of their policies or practices and to act swiftly when incidents or complaints are brought to their attention. The Department is currently in the process of establishing a dedicated sub-group to the Cross Government Working Group against anti-Semitism to facilitate discussions between the Jewish community and higher education stakeholders.

Higher Education: Research

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department is taking to support universities whose research has been judged as excellent and of national importance.

David Lammy: The Department supports excellent research in universities through the dual support system of institutional funding through the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) and project-based funding through the Research Councils. The Department's grant letter to HEFCE asked them
	to continue to recognise and reward the highest levels of research excellence wherever it is found.
	The recent research assessment exercise (RAE), published in December last year demonstrates the world-class performance of university research in the UK: 54 per cent. of work was found to be of world-leading quality or internationally excellent. The RAE results drive institutional funding for research and HEFCE announced funding allocations on 5 March.

Research: Small Businesses

Adam Afriyie: To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2009,  Official Report, column 775W, on research: small businesses, which other Government departments are participating in the Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI); and whether the revised SBRI format will have been extended to each participating department by April 2009.

David Lammy: The SBRI is a mechanism by which Government Departments can seek to encourage the business community to develop innovative solutions to meet the Department's needs. All Departments are eligible to participate, and, following the successful outcome of the pilot programme, I encourage all those with appropriate research and development needs to consider using this mechanism.
	Lord Drayson and Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, Angela Eagle, wrote to ministerial colleagues on 5 November inviting participation in the scheme. The Technology Strategy Board, which manages the SBRI programme, has over the last year engaged with all central departments, to seek to identify suitable opportunities for the use of SBRI. As stated in my answer of 25 February, a 10 million competition with the Department for Communities and Local Government will be launched in March, and the Ministry of Defence, the Department of Health, and the Department for Transport also have advanced plans for SBRI competitions in 2009. The TSB is continuing to work with other Departments to identify further cases where the Departments could benefit from making use of SBRI to meet their technology development needs.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS AND FAMILIES

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Brooks Newmark: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what plans he has for the funding of  (a) Wave 5 and  (b) subsequent waves of the Building Schools for the Future programme; and what assessment he has made of the likely effects of the economic downturn on the budgets for those waves of the programme.

Jim Knight: We remain fully committed to the BSF programme and I currently expect funding for Building Schools for the Future (BSF) for both waves 5 and 6 projects to be determined in the same way as for previous waves, when local authorities receive approval of the business case for their project.
	The Department is continuing to monitor the impact of the current economic conditions on capital programmes such as BSF, and is working with Partnerships for Schools and HM Treasury to ensure the programme moves forward as planned. On 3 March 2009, my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary to the Treasury announced Government action to safeguard capital infrastructure investment in projects being delivered through the private finance initiative.

Building Schools for the Future Programme

Stephen Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many apprenticeship places have been created by the Building Schools for the Future Programme.

Jim Knight: DCSF does not hold information on apprenticeship places that have been created by the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. However, DCSF has responded to the pre-Budget report in November which announced that Government Departments and their Agencies committed that whenever they let a new construction contract they will consider making it a requirement that successful contractors have apprentices as a proportion of the project workforce. DCSF announced on 23 February 2009 that all construction companies winning contracts for the Building Schools for the Future programme will be required to have formal training programmescreating up to an extra 1,000 apprenticeship places from June 2009including posts in construction, information technology and facilities management.
	Partnerships for schools is putting in place arrangements for monitoring the numbers of apprenticeships and training places in existing and new projects.

Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service: Standards

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families if he will make it his policy to review for benchmarking purposes the methods used by Ofsted in conducting inspections of the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service in each region.

Beverley Hughes: Matters concerning the review of inspection methodology are for Ofsted rather than the Department. In September 2008, Ofsted published a consultation document, Inspection of Children and Court Advisory Support Services (CAFCASS) 2009-12.
	Ofsted is currently evaluating the responses to the consultation and its work to pilot the new arrangements. It is intended that a new framework for the inspection of CAFCASS will be implemented from April 2009.

Children In Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils with special educational needs have been placed in residential care  (a) inside and  (b) outside their local authority area in each of the last 10 years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Information requested is not collected centrally by the Department.

Children: Day Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of  (a) two,  (b) three and  (c) four year olds whose parents use the free entitlement to child care receive the maximum number of free hours available.

Beverley Hughes: Virtually all four year olds and 95 per cent. of three year olds take up some of their free early education entitlement. At present, pupils in the maintained sector are counted only as full time or part time, but from this summer, data will be collected via the School Census on the hours of free entitlement taken.
	An estimate from the Childcare and Early Years Parents survey in 2007 showed that of the eligible three and four year olds benefiting from the free entitlement, nearly three-quarters (73 per cent.) had used 12-hours or more of their entitlement.
	The first phase of the free entitlement for two year olds was for 7.5-hours per week in 32 local authorities which reached approximately 13,500 children between 2006-08. From April 2009, these local authorities, along with a further 31, will move to deliver up to 15-hours a week over 38-weeks a year. From September 2009 all remaining local authorities will begin delivering up to 10-hours a week, over 38-weeks a year. The different number of hours that will be delivered is a deliberate step to allow us to evaluate a range of approaches.
	The latest figures on early education places for three and four year olds in England were published in Statistical First Release (SFR) 12/2008 Provision for children under five years of age in England: January 2008, available on my Department's website:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000790/index.shtml

Children: Protection

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families with reference to the statement of 20 November 2008,  Official Report, column 376, on safeguarding children, who supplied him with the professional advice he was given regarding the publication of the serious case review.

Beverley Hughes: The advice was provided by senior officials.

Departmental Absenteeism

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many staff of his Department were recorded absent for non-medical reasons on  (a) 2 February 2009 and  (b) 3 February 2009; what estimate he has made of the (i) cost to his Department and (ii) number of working hours lost due to such absence; and what guidance his Department issued to staff in respect of absence on these days.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department issued guidance to staff on the days in question, advising them to make reasonable efforts to come into work and, if this was not possible, to work from home using, for example, the Department's remote access. Staff were also told to also take account of local advice in the light of weather conditions and travel arrangements.
	Absences were handled locally by managers and information was not collected centrally on those unable to work. Therefore, the information on staff numbers, costs and working hours lost could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Art Works

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which works of art from the Government Art Collection each Minister in his Department has selected for display in a private office.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The three works of art from the Government Art Collection selected for display in the Department's Private Office are all located in the Secretary of State's Office.
	Their titles are:
	An Accurate Map of the West Riding of Yorkshire;
	A Field Near Vernham Dene; and
	The New Houses of Parliament.

Departmental Scientists

Ian Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department's budget for scientific advice and research is in 2008-09; for what purposes the equivalent budget for 2007-08 was used; and how many people employed in his Department have a science or engineering degree.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The DCSF does not commission scientific research and advice. We do commission social and economic research and analysis in order to provide evidence to support policy-making activity across the full range of the Department's responsibilities according to need. Our current forecast is that we will spend 31 million on social and economic research and analysis in 2008-09. In 2007-08, the figure was 27 million. We do not collect information on staff with a science or engineering degree centrally.

Departmental Surveys

Grant Shapps: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessor spent on staff surveys in each of the last five years; and which company was contracted to conduct each such survey.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In the last five years the Department (and the former Department for Education and Skills) has spent 94,363 on staff surveys. All surveys in the period were delivered by ORC International Ltd.
	
		
			   Cost () 
			 2005-06 15,686 
			 2006-07 (1)0 
			 2007-08 42,137 
			 2008-09 36,540 
			 (1) No staff survey held.

Departmental Training

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his Department's policy is on holding departmental away days outside his Department's buildings.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department believes that away days can be beneficial and necessary for staff development, team building and planning to help deliver the Children's Plan.
	The organisation of away days outside the Department's buildings will be based on sound planning and, where accommodation costs and other charges are involved, our policies on appropriateness and value for money.

Education Maintenance Allowance: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people  (a) are eligible for and  (b) are claiming education maintenance allowance in West Lancashire constituency.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) who operate the education maintenance allowance (EMA) for the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). Mark Haysom the LSC's chief executive, will write to the hon. Member for West Lancashire with the information requested and a copy of his reply will be placed in the House Libraries.

Education: Young Offender Institutions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment Ofsted has made of standards of education in the juvenile secure estate in the last five years.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Libraries.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 4 March 2009:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for reply.
	From 1998 to March 2007, Ofsted inspected standards in education and training in the juvenile estate with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons. From 1996 to April 2004, Ofsted inspected standards in education and training at local authority secure children's homes and secure training centres with the Social Services Inspectorate; and from April 2004 to March 2007, it did so with the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Since April 2007, Ofsted has had sole responsibility for the inspection of secure children's homes and secure training centres. Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons maintains its lead responsibility for the prison estate.
	Prior to April 2007, Ofsted did not publish its own reports on juvenile estate establishments, including secure children's homes and secure training centres, but contributed to the report of the lead inspectorate. Since April 2007, Ofsted has published reports on secure children's homes and secure training centres. Please note that there have only been a small number of inspections annually.
	Ofsted provides an annual summary of its assessment of this provision in Her Majesty's Chief Inspectors' Annual Reports. As Ofsted did not publish any of its own reports until 2007, the Annual Reports are the only continuous and comparative form of assessment relating to this area of provision over the past five years.
	For the purposes of the following reports, the term 'secure settings' refers to secure children's homes and secure training centres accommodating children and young people under 18 years of age, and other establishments accommodating Juvenile/Young People offenders.
	The following excerpts are taken from the Annual Reports of Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools 2004/05 and 2005/06, and Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services, and Skills for 2006/07 and 2007/08.
	 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools Annual Report 2004/05
	 The quality of education and care: Provision for children and young people in secure settings
	 Main Findings
	Provision across the range of secure settings and within types of setting varies widely. Some young people are well served; others, already disadvantaged, have a poor deal which does little to help them to improve their life chances. Establishments vary, for example, in the extent of specialist teaching facilities and resources and the range of options available to them. Generally, provision for students to work towards qualifications at level 2 and above is limited.
	Out of 10 young offender institutions inspected, two were judged to be very good, six satisfactory and two unsatisfactory. The provision for juveniles (15-17 year-olds) was better than that for young offenders (18-21 year-olds) mainly because they benefited from additional resources for this age group from the Youth Justice Board. The appointment of special educational needs coordinators and learning support assistants has improved initial assessment, the targeting and quality of one-to-one support and the quality of pastoral care for juveniles.
	The establishments judged to be very good featured: very good leadership; effective behaviour management, support and guidance; rigorous monitoring of attendance; and effective arrangements for young people unable or unwilling to attend classes. In the poorer establishments, much of the teaching lacked challenge; education, training and residential activities were poorly integrated and accreditation rates were low.
	Three of the seven local authority children's homes inspected were good or better; two were satisfactory, but two were unsatisfactory. In the best, there was a strong emphasis on assessing and monitoring students' progress and liaison and support from the local authority were excellent. By contrast, insufficient emphasis on achievement, inadequate quality assurance arrangements and weak links between education and care staff characterised unsatisfactory practice.
	Two of the three secure training centres inspected were very good. In these, there were wide opportunities for accreditation, the learning environment was attractive and provision well resourced. By contrast, two detention and immigration centres inspected were poorly resourced and accommodation in one was cramped. Despite these difficulties, teacher-pupil relationships in the centres were good. Pupils were well-behaved, keen to learn and supported each other, particularly in relation to resolving language difficulties.
	 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools Annual Report 2005/06
	 The quality of education and care: Provision for young people in secure settings
	 Main Findings
	Overall, standards across the range of secure settings remain too variable and the curriculum offered is often too narrow to meet the needs of the young people. Of 13 institutions inspected, two secure children's homes and one young offender institution are inadequate.
	Only one establishment, a secure training centre, is very good and two secure children's homes and one young offender institution are good. There has been an improvement, however, in the management of the young people's behaviour and it is satisfactory overall in the settings inspected. The more effective institutions are successful in meeting the needs of a wide range of young people, many of whom have had little or no experience of educational success. A minority of settings have developed an appropriate range of vocational and academic courses. In these institutions, young people enjoy their education and often make good progress; many experience success for the first time in their lives. However, levels of accreditation remain low in too many institutions and opportunities for progression to more advanced courses are limited. This is particularly pertinent for young people aged 16 and over in young offender institutions. More able young people are often working below their capabilities and few gain GCSE qualifications.
	The range of vocational courses is narrow in too many institutions, restricting opportunities for young people to acquire the skills that will help them to gain employment or access to further training on their release from custody. Teaching of the basic skills of literacy and numeracy is often poor. Lessons fail to motivate or engage young people. In the more effective institutions, literacy and numeracy are linked successfully to vocational work and their life experiences.
	The needs of young people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities are not always met appropriately. In the better settings, teaching is lively and engaging. Young people are given interesting and challenging tasks that they enjoy. They respond well to good teaching, make sound progress and are justifiably proud of their achievements. The collection of information about the young people's achievements, progress and attendance is improving and is now available to support teaching staff more effectively. However, this information is used effectively in only a small number of institutions. Young people's individual learning plans are not used successfully to plan their work or to monitor their progress.
	The more successful settings draw on a variety of resources and external partners to develop creative and interesting educational experiences for young people. External agencies are often effective in raising the young people's aspirations. Most institutions are successful in making the environment as attractive as possible, often in very difficult circumstances. Rewards and incentives are used effectively to motivate young people, but only in a minority of institutions.
	In the settings inspected, the management of poor and inappropriate behaviour has improved in recent years and is satisfactory overall. It is good in institutions where the behaviour policy is clearly understood and consistently applied. Relationships between prison and education staff in young offender institutions are generally good. Some aspects of prison life, however, continue to have a negative effect on teaching and learning. For example, movement from residential to education units is often delayed, adversely affecting both punctuality and young people's learning. There are too few opportunities for young people to share their opinions about the education and training they receive.
	Arrangements for the care and progress of young people about to leave custody are not good enough. Insufficient attention is paid to preparing them for their return to the community. Careers education and guidance are often poor. The lack of appropriate education and training for these young people once they are released is a real concern.
	In most of the settings inspected there has been steady improvement in leadership and management. Senior managers are now more focused on improving the quality of provision. Self-assessment and the rigour of lesson observations have improved.
	 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills Annual Report 2006-07
	 Quality and Standards: Educational provision for young people in secure settings
	The provision for young people with learning difficulties or disabilities is not always matched to their needs. Staff do not make effective use of individual learning plans in considering the next steps in learning or in tracking the progress of the young people.
	The more effective institutions work with a range of external partners to plan challenging and imaginative programmes for learners and to raise their ambitions for the future. Staff in most institutions overcome considerable difficulties to make the accommodation as pleasant as possible through, for example, the imaginative use of learners' artwork. Incentives are generally used well to encourage the young people.
	Increasingly, planned educational provision within secure children's homes is contributing to the five outcomes of the Every Child Matters legislation, especially to 'be healthy', with many units aspiring to the Healthy Schools initiative. However, little focus is given to the Every Child Matters agenda for children and young people in young offender institutions. Limited opportunities for release on temporary licence severely inhibit the preparation of young people to gain employment and so to achieve economic well-being on their return to the community.
	The management of unacceptable behaviour has improved further in the institutions inspected. Behaviour is good in institutions where the behaviour policy is understood clearly and applied consistently. In young offender institutions, there has been a marked reduction in the number of young people being returned to residential wings from education for poor behaviour. Relationships between prison and residential care staff and education staff across the range of secure accommodation are generally good. Progress in making sure that education and training are given priority within settings is variable.
	Too often, security issues inhibit access to appropriate provision for children and young people. There remain some aspects of institutional life which have an adverse effect on the quality of educational provision. For example, moving the young people from residential accommodation to teaching areas often takes too long so that they arrive late and learning time is lost.
	The provision for young people about to return to the outside world remains uneven in quality. Not enough is done to help them prepare for their release and there are not enough opportunities for them to access vocational learning or to develop independent living skills. Links between education and resettlement departments are often tenuous. The quality of careers guidance and education is often inadequate. The failure to provide suitable education and training to young people for the community element of their sentences, or upon release, remains a significant concern.
	The quality of leadership and management has improved in most of the secure estates inspected. Senior managers now place more emphasis on improving the quality of provision, but in some settings this has not yet resulted in improved outcomes. There is greater rigour in institutional self-assessment and in the evaluation of teaching and learning, but there is still some overestimation of effectiveness.
	 Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Education, Children's Services and Skills Annual Report 2007/08
	 Quality and Standards: Educational provision for children and young people in secure settings
	Provision of education and training in the four secure training centres was inspected during 2007/08. Of these, education and training are outstanding in one, good in two and satisfactory in the fourth. There were full inspections of seven secure children's homes, of which one is outstanding, three are good and three are satisfactory. There were two full inspections of young offender institutions holding children; both of these institutions are satisfactory.
	The improvements reported in last year's Annual Report have been strengthened, especially in the behaviour of children and young people. In most institutions, leadership and management are successful in supporting children's personal and social development. Education in the secure children's homes inspected makes a strong contribution to the Every Child Matters outcomes, with children understanding and following healthy lifestyles and knowing how to stay safe.
	On arrival in secure institutions, many children and young people have poor attitudes to learning and experiences of it; indeed, many are unused to participating in structured education of any kind. Behaviour is managed more successfully than in the past and improves quickly. Most behaviour is now good in the institutions inspected. This is achieved most effectively where care staff and teachers collaborate and manage behaviour consistently.
	Initial assessment of children's and young people's levels of literacy and numeracy is well established and effective. Nearly all children and young people enter institutions with levels of literacy and numeracy well below those found nationally for their ages. There has been an appropriate emphasis on improving basic skills and children make very good progress when opportunities for improving literacy and numeracy are linked to subjects across the curriculum. Most young people leave custody with some form of accreditation in these essential skills and, more generally, levels of accreditation are now at least satisfactory in most of the institutions inspected.
	Teaching and learning are generally best in vocational and practical subjects, where they are consistently at least satisfactory. In the best classes, teachers have high expectations of learners and plan interesting and varied activities. Less successful lessons provide insufficient challenge, the pace is too slow and young people are bored and lose concentration.
	The range of vocational provision is too often narrow. Most children and young people have too few opportunities to gain work-related skills that will help them move on to further education, employment or additional training on release. Evening enrichment activities are available in most institutions and, in some cases, the skills gained by young people are accredited through external qualifications. Often, these activities add significantly to their enjoyment of education.
	Guidance and support are generally strengths of the sector. Most institutions have effective initial assessment procedures that identify any additional support needs quickly, although this information is not always used well to inform teaching and learning. Children and young people are helped to settle in quickly through good induction procedures. Target-setting and monitoring of progress have improved; they are now generally good and, in a few cases, outstanding. Some secure children's homes have developed a system of weekly tutorials which are used well to review progress. Teaching assistants generally provide effective support but, in a few cases, they are not appropriately qualified and are unsure of their role.
	The improvements seen in the last two years in leadership and management are now having a positive impact, especially in the areas of managing behaviour and in guidance and support. Institutions are now producing more evaluative self-assessment reports. Frequently, managers identify the key weaknesses and take decisive action that improves outcomes for young people. Lesson observations by managers are now well established and, in most cases, this has contributed to improvements in teaching and learning. Centres use data more effectively to measure learners' progress and to set challenging targets. Increasingly, institutions are developing procedures to seek the views of the young people and staff, but this is not consistent across the sector. Relationships between care and education staff are generally good, and communication between groups of staff has improved significantly. There is great variation in the quality of resources, especially in terms of accommodation and facilities.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to Rt Hon Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in the library of both Houses.

GCE A-Level: Disadvantaged

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what A level subjects were taken by each pupil eligible for free schools meals who achieved three A grades at A level in the last year for which data are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: This information would be identifiable and so can not be given out.

GCSE

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils gained five A* to B grades at GCSE in 2008.

Jim Knight: In 2008, 209,961 (32.2 per cent.) pupils at the end of key stage 4 in all schools in England, achieved five or more A* to B grades at GCSE.

GCSE: North Yorkshire

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of eligible pupils passed GCSEs in  (a) English and  (b) mathematics, at grades (i) A* and (ii) A to C in Vale of York constituency in each year since 1997.

Jim Knight: The requested information on the percentage of eligible pupils in Vale of York constituency achieving grades A* and A-C in English and mathematics is given in the following table.
	
		
			   English  Maths 
			   A*  A-C  A*  A-C 
			 2007 2.5 62.5 3.5 56.0 
			 2006 3.9 55.0 4.4 50.4 
			 2005 2.8 56.6 2.9 53.0 
			 2004 2.8 55.3 2.4 46.5 
			 2003 3.9 56.0 0.9 47.6 
			 2002 2.5 57.4 2.4 50.1 
			 2001 2.6 56.3 1.7 51.7 
			 2000 2.5 54.3 2.0 48.3 
			 1999 2.8 55.9 1.0 46.4 
			 1998 3.1 54.4 1.4 43.6 
			 1997 1.5 51.7 2.1 47.2 
			 Notes: 1. Data from 1997 to 2004 are based on 15-year-old pupils at the start of the academic year. The 2005 to 2007 figure is based on pupils at the end of KS4. 2. Data from 2004 to 2007 include equivalents

GCSEs: Lancashire

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of GCSE students in schools in West Lancashire constituency achieved five or more A* to C grades including English and mathematics in 2008.

Jim Knight: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Percentage of pupils( 1)  achieving five or more A* to C grades including English and Mathematics at GCSE and equivalent, 2008( 2) 
			   Percentage 
			 West Lancashire parliamentary constituency(3) 42.1 
			 Lancashire local authority 50.8 
			 England(4) 47.6 
			 (1) Figures are based on pupils at the end of key stage 4. (2) Figures are based on revised data. (3) Pupils attending maintained schools located in West Lancashire constituency. (4) Figure includes all schools.

General Certificate of Secondary Education

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the causes of the disparity in GCSE attainment between boys and girls.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Girls have out-performed boys since GCSE examinations were introduced in 1988. In 2008 69.9 per cent. of girls and 60.9 per cent. of boys achieved 5+ A*-C grade GCSEs. Girls are ahead of boys at all stages of education. The gap in England has been broadly stable over two decades, and is in line with that in other OECD countries.
	The reasons are complex but appear mainly related to differences of biology, maturation, and attitudes to learning and reading at different ages. The Department's 2007 research paper Gender and education: the evidence on pupils in England, of which there is a copy in the Library of the House, sets out the research evidence.
	Two points should be noted: first, boys' GCSE attainment has improved sharply over the past decade, broadly keeping pace with that of girls; second, gender gaps can be minimised by good teaching practice and by the encouragement of reading, ensuring that pupils of both genders make good progress.
	Through its Gender Agenda programme the Department has been leading a programme of action research activities designed to identify and spread good practice in raising boys' motivation and attainment. An interim report has been published and a final report will be made available at the end of the programme.

Members: Correspondence

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families when he plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Totnes of 21 January 2009 on funding for a new school building at Dartmouth Community college.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 10 March 2009
	The Department's correspondence handling system shows no record of the letter in question. If the hon. Member forwards a copy of the letter to the Department it will be answered in line with Whitehall standards.

Orders and Regulations

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many statutory instruments have been laid before the House by his Department in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) was established on 28 June 2007. Its predecessors were the Department for Education and Employment (DfEE) from 5 July 1995 to 10 June 2001 and the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) from 11 June 2001 to 27 June 2007.
	All statutory instruments are 'made' (signed) by Ministers or senior officials. Not all statutory instruments are required to be 'laid' before the House of Commons and House of Lords.
	The records for the Department for Children, Schools and Families and its predecessors show only the numbers of statutory instruments made and not the numbers laid. The number of statutory instruments made each year since 1997 were as follows:
	
		
			   DfEE  DfES  DCSF 
			 1997 70   
			 1998 144   
			 1999 231   
			 2000 164   
			 2001 91 100  
			 2002  168  
			 2003  142  
			 2004  124  
			 2005  150  
			 2006  127  
			 2007  113 44 
			 2008   132

Primary Education: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in each local authority have not been allocated a place at a primary school for September 2009; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department does not collect data on offers of primary school places or on the number of unplaced children. Local authorities are under a duty to make sure that every child of compulsory school age has a suitable school place.

Primary Education: Admissions

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what account  (a) his Department and  (b) local education authorities in Greater London took of the effect of (i) the birth rate and (ii) Greater London Authority forecasts of the number of children entering primary education in (A) 2000 and (B) 2005 when determining policy on the provision; by what plans he has to take account of the demand for primary school places following changes in the birth rate in (1) 2009, (2) 2012 and (3) 2015; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: In reply to part  (a) of your question, when determining policy on the provision of school places, the Department took no direct account of the birth rate or of GLA forecasts of the number of children entering primary education in 2000, 2005 or 2009. Local authorities are responsible for planning provision for their areas. The Department allocates basic need capital to enable authorities to fund new places in response to pupil number growth. To ensure that local authorities can plan strategically, funding is fixed for three years at the beginning of each spending review period (the current period runs from April 2008 to March 2011). In determining basic need allocations, the Department uses local authorities' own pupil number forecasts, expecting authorities themselves to take account of local factors that will influence future pupil numbers such as birth rate, new housing and population migration. The Department relies on the accuracy of local authority forecasts as it does not hold back funds to allow for future changes.
	In reply to part  (b) of your question, the Department does not collect information on the extent to which local education authorities in Greater London take account of the birth rate and GLA forecasts of the number of children entering primary education.
	All basic need resources for 2008-09 to 2010-11 have been allocated. However, the Department is reviewing emerging pupil number trends to inform the spending review period 2011-12 onwards and will consider whether to continue allocating all basic need funding at the beginning of a new CSR period.

Pupil Referral Units

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many  (a) dually registered and  (b) other pupils attended pupil referral units in each local authority area in each year since 1997.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The requested information has been placed in the Libraries.

Pupils: Absenteeism

Michael Gove: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of children in each decile of area deprivation by  (a) pupil residence and  (b) school location were classified as persistent absentees in each of the last three years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested is shown in the following table for 2006/07 only. Information for previous years is not available.
	
		
			  Number and percentage( 1)  of persistent absentees in schools( 2,3 ) by IDACI decile( 4)  of pupil residence( 5 ) and school location, 2006/07 
			   By pupil residence  By school location 
			   Number  Percentage  Number  Percentage 
			 0-10% most deprived areas 60,249 7.4 33,296 5.4 
			 10-20% 46,781 6.4 32,133 5.1 
			 20-30% 37,625 5.6 31,268 4.8 
			 30-40% 30,003 4.7 30,644 4.5 
			 40-50% 23,332 3.9 29,592 4.3 
			 50-60% 19,121 3.2 28,498 4.0 
			 60-70% 15,845 2.7 23,105 3.6 
			 70-80% 13,321 2.3 21,544 3.4 
			 80-90% 10,653 1.8 22,011 3.3 
			 90-100% least deprived areas 8,510 1.5 20,863 3.2 
			 Total 265,440 4.1 272,954 4.1 
			 (1) Number of Persistent Absentees expressed as a percentage of the total number of enrolments. (2) Includes middle schools as deemed. (3) School coverage is maintained primary and secondary schools, maintained and non-maintained special schools, city technology colleges and academies. Excludes general hospital schools. (4) 2004 Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index at Super Output Area level. (5) Pupil residency figures include only those pupils with a valid postcode.

Religion: Curriculum

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what provision is made within the national curriculum for the discussion of non-religious beliefs.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Religious education (RE) is a statutory part of the basic school curriculum. Schools must teach RE according to locally agreed syllabuses or in the case of voluntary aided schools with a religious character, according to the trust deed of the school. Local Standing Advisory Councils for RE (SACREs) have the responsibility to ensure that local syllabuses develop pupils' knowledge, understanding and awareness of Christianity and the major religions represented in the country and reflect the values and traditions of the community. RE encourages respect for those holding different beliefs and helps promote pupils' moral, cultural and spiritual development.
	In 2004, the Department with the QCA published a non-statutory framework for RE which has been supported by all the main faith groups and the British Humanist Association. It says that pupils should learn about Christianity throughout each key stage and, by the end of Key Stage 3, pupils should have encountered the other five principal religions (Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism) in sufficient depth. It also recommends that pupils have opportunities to study other religious traditions such as the Baha'i faith, Jainism, Zoroastrianism and secular philosophies such as humanism.

Schools: Admissions

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many maintained schools other than grammar schools select a proportion of their pupils on the basis of aptitude in a particular subject; and if he will make a statement.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: Following local consultation, maintained schools may introduce selection of up to 10 per cent. of their intake on the basis of aptitude for prescribed subjects.
	As these arrangements are determined locally, we do not hold data centrally on the number of schools who do so.

Schools: Anti-Semitism

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what requests he has received from the Jewish community for additional school security measures in the last three months.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Secretary of State received one letter on this issue since the beginning of December 2008. This was a letter dated 1 December from the Community Security Trust. That letter followed previous exchanges and expressed the Trust's hope that the Department's Targeted Capital Fund might provide additional funding for security at Jewish schools.

Schools: Warnings

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many warning notices have been issued to schools by each local authority in each year from 1997 to 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Knight: Local authorities are not currently required to inform the Secretary of State if they issue a warning notice but since April 2007 (when the Education and Inspections Act 2006 came into force) have been under a duty to copy all warning notices to Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools.
	Between April 2007 and August 2008 17 warning notices were issued to schools Between September 2008 and mid February 2009, 24 warning notices have been issued.

Science: GCSE

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children in  (a) England,  (b) Kent and  (c) Ashford constituency took one or more science GCSE in the last five year period for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The figures available are given in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of children who took one or more science GCSE 
			   2008  2007  2006  2005 
			 England 592,209 599,687 592,850 583,282 
			 Maintained Schools(1) 549,813 551,401 544,766 536,866 
			 Kent(1) 15,595 15,563 15,263 15,218 
			 Ashford(2) 1,118 986 1,036 1,045 
			 (1) Including academies. (2) Based on school location.  Notes: 1. The data for 2004 are not comparable. 2. Data presented on same basis as table 10, 11 and 12 of the 2008 GCSE SFR. Source: Attainment and Achievement Table

Science: GCSE

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many schools entered one or more pupils for separate sciences at GCSE in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: In 2008, 1,474 maintained mainstream schools entered one or more pupils for either physics, chemistry or biology GCSE.

Secondary Education: Chelmsford

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many children were not offered a place at their first preference secondary school in West Chelmsford constituency in each of the last five years.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: 2008 was the first year that local authorities were required to provide data to the Secretary of State on secondary school offers made to parents on the day that parents are notified of their school places. Data was not collected at a constituency level. Figures for Essex local authority, in which West Chelmsford constituency is situated, showed that 19.2 per cent. (3,087) of children resident in that authority who were eligible to transfer to secondary school in September 2008 were not offered a place at their parents' first choice school. 96 per cent. were offered a preferred school.
	The day that parents are notified of their secondary school place is the first part of the process of obtaining a preferred school. These figures are likely to have changed by September as places became available or appeals were successful.
	Data on 2009 secondary school applications and offers will be published on 12 March.

Social Services: Co-operation

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what recent assessment he has made of the effectiveness of procedures for co-operation between education and social services at local authority level.

Beverley Hughes: Since 1 January 2008, the Children Act 2004, which followed the Victoria Climbi inquiry and the Every Child Matters Green Paper, has required local authorities to have a single director of children's services with responsibility for education and children's social services. This single officer provides a clear line of accountability for, and strong leadership of, all children's services.
	Inspectorates assess the effectiveness of children's services. Until 2008, Ofsted made an annual performance assessment (APA) of each council's children's services. Inspectorates undertook a joint area review (JAR) of children's services in each local authority area during the period from 2005 to 2008.
	From 2009, APAs and JARs will be replaced by a new comprehensive area assessment (CAA), led by the Audit Commission and including Ofsted and other relevant inspectorates. CAAs will report annually on services, including children's services, in each local authority area. Ofsted will lead a programme to inspect children's safeguarding and services for looked-after children, in each local authority area every three years. Inspectors may also decide to carry out inspections on other services, should a CAA report indicate that they are poor and not improving.

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on issuing statements of special educational needs in each local authority area in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The Department does not collect the information on how much was spent on issuing statements of special educational needs. However, the information provided to the Department by local authorities on their total planned net expenditure on the administration, assessment and co-ordination of statements for 2008-09 is contained within the following table.
	
		
			  Local authority name  Table 1: 2.0.2 SEN administration assessment and co-ordination 
			 England 86,016,000 
			 Barking and Dagenham 277,000 
			 Barnet 1,330,000 
			 Barnsley 297,000 
			 Bath and NE Somerset 188,000 
			 Bedfordshire 716,000 
			 Bexley 290,000 
			 Birmingham 2,180,000 
			 Blackburn and Darwen 294,000 
			 Blackpool 293,000 
			 Bolton 360,000 
			 Bournemouth 300,000 
			 Bracknell Forest 196,000 
			 Bradford 893,000 
			 Brent 990,000 
			 Brighton and Hove 234,000 
			 Bromley 829,000 
			 Buckinghamshire 2,926,000 
			 Bury 0 
			 Calderdale 134,000 
			 Cambridgeshire 815,000 
			 Camden 982,000 
			 Cheshire 1,334,000 
			 City of Bristol 473,000 
			 City of Kingston-upon-Hull 337,000 
			 City of London 8,000 
			 City of Nottingham 68,000 
			 City of Peterborough 357,000 
			 City of Plymouth 241,000 
			 Cornwall 1,232,000 
			 Coventry 497,000 
			 Croydon 670,000 
			 Cumbria 1,028,000 
			 Darlington 219,000 
			 Derby 100,000 
			 Derbyshire 1,202,000 
			 Devon 656,000 
			 Doncaster 365,000 
			 Dorset 569,000 
			 Dudley 961,000 
			 Durham 766,000 
			 Ealing 457,000 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 127,000 
			 East Sussex 1,370,000 
			 Enfield 555,000 
			 Essex 0 
			 Gateshead 436,000 
			 Gloucestershire 445,000 
			 Greenwich 765,000 
			 Hackney 524,000 
			 Halton 187,000 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 390,000 
			 Hampshire 2,035,000 
			 Haringey 680,000 
			 Harrow 171,000 
			 Hartlepool 81,000 
			 Havering 339,000 
			 Herefordshire 586,000 
			 Hertfordshire 2,781,000 
			 Hillingdon 507,000 
			 Hounslow 479,000 
			 Isle of Wight 261,000 
			 Isles of Scilly 7,000 
			 Islington 631,000 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 511,000 
			 Kent 3,126,000 
			 Kingston-upon-Thames 298,000 
			 Kirklees 339,000 
			 Knowsley 339,000 
			 Lambeth 129,000 
			 Lancashire 0 
			 Leeds 344,000 
			 Leicester City 501,000 
			 Leicestershire 624,000 
			 Lewisham 608,000 
			 Lincolnshire 2,105,000 
			 Liverpool 97,000 
			 Luton 286,000 
			 Manchester 134,000 
			 Medway 353,000 
			 Merton 545,000 
			 Middlesbrough 286,000 
			 Milton Keynes 1,002,000 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 28,000 
			 Newham 1,444,000 
			 Norfolk 1,769,000 
			 North East Lincolnshire 599,000 
			 North Lincolnshire 107,000 
			 North Somerset 286,000 
			 North Tyneside 293,000 
			 North Yorkshire 980,000 
			 Northamptonshire 674,000 
			 Northumberland 575,000 
			 Nottinghamshire 657,000 
			 Oldham 247,000 
			 Oxfordshire 1,024,000 
			 Poole 213,000 
			 Portsmouth 203,000 
			 Reading 118,000 
			 Redbridge 0 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 95,000 
			 Richmond-upon-Thames 355,000 
			 Rochdale 367,000 
			 Rotherham 337,000 
			 Rutland 186,000 
			 Salford 392,000 
			 Sandwell 803,000 
			 Sefton 134,000 
			 Sheffield 579,000 
			 Shropshire 92,000 
			 Slough 260,000 
			 Solihull 178,000 
			 Somerset 1,322,000 
			 South Gloucestershire 449,000 
			 South Tyneside 413,000 
			 Southampton 296,000 
			 Southend 305,000 
			 Southwark 635,000 
			 St Helens 250,000 
			 Staffordshire 834,000 
			 Stockport 389,000 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 271,000 
			 Stoke 306,000 
			 Suffolk 469,000 
			 Sunderland 365,000 
			 Surrey 1,866,000 
			 Sutton 562,000 
			 Swindon 281,000 
			 Tameside 385,000 
			 Telford and Wrekin 331,000 
			 Thurrock 383,000 
			 Torbay 161,000 
			 Tower Hamlets 737,000 
			 Trafford 496,000 
			 Wakefield 159,000 
			 Walsall 498,000 
			 Waltham Forest 666,000 
			 Wandsworth 632,000 
			 Warrington 401,000 
			 Warwickshire 1,410,000 
			 West Berkshire 229,000 
			 West Sussex 513,000 
			 Westminster 810,000 
			 Wigan 939,000 
			 Wiltshire 946,000 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead 245,000 
			 Wirral 382,000 
			 Wokingham 616,000 
			 Wolverhampton 353,000 
			 Worcestershire 1,613,000 
			 York 57,000 
			  Notes: Bury, Essex, Lancashire and Redbridge local authorities have recorded zero for line 2.0.2. These LAs have recorded some elements of SEN administration assessment and co-ordination within other SEN lines in the data collection. Lines include 2.0.1 (Educational Psychology Service), 1.2.1 (Provision for pupils with SEN, (including assigned resources), 1.2.2 (Provision for pupils with SEN, provision not included in line 1.2.1) and 1.2.3 (Support for inclusion). Detailed guidance is provided by DCSF on how to complete various lines in the data collection. It is however for each local authority to determine how they eventually record these activities.

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families which maintained special schools have been assessed as inadequate by Ofsted in each of the last 10 years.

Jim Knight: This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the Libraries.
	 Letter from Christine Gilbert:
	Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty's Chief Inspector, for a response.
	Tables A-J show all maintained special schools which have been placed in special measures in each academic year in the last ten years. Special measures is an Ofsted category, defined at present in the Education Act 2005, meaning that a school is failing to give its pupils an acceptable standard of education and the persons responsible for leading, managing or governing the school are not demonstrating the capacity to secure the necessary improvement.
	Please be aware that the framework for inspecting maintained special schools changed in January 2000, September 2003 and September 2005. As a result, there has been no consistent 'inadequate' category over this period. These tables are, therefore, limited to those maintained special schools placed in special measures, as this category has been in place throughout the period in question.
	A copy of this reply has been sent to right hon. Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools and Learners, and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.
	
		
			  Table A: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2007-08 (six maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 132008 Burwood School Bromley 
			 113963 Longspee School Poole 
			 131296 Montrose Wigan 
			 115817 Cam House School Gloucestershire 
			 123631 Southall School Telford and Wrekin 
			 119882 North Cliffe School Lancashire 
		
	
	
		
			  Table B: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2006-07 (11 maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 113636 Barley Lane School Devon 
			 119869 Massey Hall School Lancashire 
			 102557 Syon Park School Hounslow 
			 110946 Spring Common School Cambridgeshire 
			 123939 The Priory School Somerset 
			 111502 Cloughwood School Cheshire 
			 108129 Elmete Wood-BESD Leeds 
			 126170 Cornfield School, Littlehampton West Sussex 
			 128190 Pathways Special School Redcar  Cleveland 
			 115451 Homestead School Essex 
			 104496 Highfield School Knowsley 
		
	
	
		
			  Table C: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2005-06 (two maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 115443 Priory School Southend-On-Sea 
			 122962 Woodlands School Nottingham City 
		
	
	
		
			  Table D: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2004-05 (eight maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 107468 Wedgwood School and Community Nursery Bradford 
			 109747 Oak Bank School Bedfordshire 
			 132156 Kingshill School Wigan 
			 126168 Abbotsford Community Special School West Sussex 
			 119895 Brookfield School Lancashire 
			 106968 Kelford School Rotherham 
			 106971 Whiston Grange School Rotherham 
			 109397 Wansdyke School Bath and North East Somerset 
		
	
	
		
			  Table E: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2003-04 (13 maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 103761 Dartmouth School Coventry 
			 109398 Lime Grove Special School Bath and North East Somerset 
			 125457 St Nicholas School Surrey 
			 115819 Sandford School Gloucestershire 
			 109741 Rainbow School Bedfordshire 
			 122154 The Orchard School Northamptonshire 
			 123346 Northfield School Oxfordshire 
			 105614 Meade Hill School Manchester 
			 105755 Hardman Fold Community Special School Oldham 
			 103880 The Old Park School Dudley 
			 106548 Two Porches School Wigan 
			 131491 Redgrave School Worcestershire 
			 115475 Lexden Springs School Essex 
		
	
	
		
			  Table F: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2002-03 (18 maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 131817 Brookfield School Herefordshire 
			 101853 Beckmead School Croydon 
			 107173 East Hill Primary School Sheffield 
			 119033 Halstead Place School Kent 
			 107181 Dr John Worrall School Sheffield 
			 133442 The Michael Tippett School Lambeth 
			 132122 Mount Gilbert School Telford and Wrekin 
			 133432 Silverdale School North Tyneside 
			 132157 Highlea Secondary School Wigan 
			 106011 Mew Park High School Salford 
			 118140 Oakfield Kingston Upon Hull 
			 108121 Stonegate School Leeds 
			 131988 Thomas Bewick School Newcastle Upon Tyne 
			 133401 Waterside School Greenwich 
			 113648 Brook Green Centre for Learning Plymouth 
			 105623 Southern Cross School Manchester 
			 104026 Whittington Grange School Sandwell 
			 100761 Anerley School for Boys Lewisham 
		
	
	
		
			  Table G: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2001-02 (six maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 131692 Lever Park School Bolton 
			 130353 Oaklands School Leicester City 
			 116638 Hawthorns School Hampshire 
			 131598 Ian Mikardo School Tower Hamlets 
			 110937 Littleton House School Cambridgeshire 
			 105624 Castlefield School Manchester 
		
	
	
		
			  Table H: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 2000-01 (nine maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 102878 Little Heath School Redbridge 
			 131594 Nightingale School Wandsworth 
			 102557 Syon Park School Hounslow 
			 125466 Wey House School Surrey 
			 109747 Oak Bank School Bedfordshire 
			 131491 Redgrave School Worcestershire 
			 117050 Cliffey House School Worcestershire 
			 107800 Hartshead Moor School Kirklees 
			 103115 Hawkswood School and Centre Waltham Forest 
		
	
	
		
			  Table I: Maintained special schools placed in special measures in 1999-2000 (15 maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 111779 King Edwin School Stockton-on-Tees 
			 110189 Phoenix College Reading 
			 118151 South Wolds School East Riding of Yorkshire 
			 126547 St Lukes School Swindon 
			 132008 Burwood School Bromley 
			 103606 Baskerville School Birmingham 
			 115449 Ramsden Hall School Essex 
			 110938 The Lady Adrian Special School Cambridgeshire 
			 104414 Tettenhall Wood School Wolverhampton 
			 125480 Philip Southcote School Surrey 
			 104739 Lower Lee School Liverpool 
			 106545 Hindley Borsdane Brook School Wigan 
			 109399 Filton Park School South Gloucestershire 
			 104979 Merefield School Sefton 
			 102261 Whittlesea School Harrow 
		
	
	
		
			  Table J: Special schools placed in special measures in 1998-99 (17 maintained special schools) 
			  URN  School name  LA name 
			 118144 Kings Mill School East Riding of Yorkshire 
			 107179 Deerlands School Sheffield 
			 111496 Fox Wood Special School Warrington 
			 124905 Warren School Suffolk 
			 108122 Richard Oastler School Leeds 
			 107804 Nortonthorpe Hall School Kirklees 
			 101395 Northway School Barnet 
			 108742 Greenfields School South Tyneside 
			 114678 The Alternative Centre for Education Brighton and Hove 
			 109412 Fulford School City of Bristol 
			 103628 Oscott Manor School Birmingham 
			 102792 Beckton Special School Newham 
			 104273 Daw End School Walsall 
			 108882 Sunningdale School Sunderland 
			 125795 River House School Warwickshire 
			 125479 John Nightingale School Surrey 
			 120362 Millgate School Leicester City

Special Educational Needs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of children in each decile of area deprivation by  (a) pupil residence and  (b) school location have been recorded as having (i) statemented and (ii) non-statemented special educational needs.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested is shown in the following tables.
	
		
			  (i) Percentage of children in schools( 1, 2)  with a statement of special educational needs( 3)  by IDACI decile( 4)  of pupil residence and school location, 2008 
			   Percentage of children with a statement of SEN 
			  IDACI decile( 4)  By pupil residency  By school location 
			 0-10% most deprived areas 3.4 2.9 
			 10-20% 3.4 3.2 
			 20-30% 3.4 2.9 
			 30-40% 3.1 3.4 
			 40-50% 2.9 2.8 
			 50-60% 2.6 2.7 
			 60-70% 2.5 2.7 
			 70-80% 2.3 2.5 
			 80-90% 2.2 2.7 
			 90-100% least deprived areas 2.1 2.7 
		
	
	
		
			  (ii) Percentage of children in schools( 1, 2)  with special educational needs( 3)  but without a statement by IDACI decile( 4)  of pupil residence and school location, 2008 
			   Percentage of children with SEN but without a statement 
			  IDACI decile( 4)  By pupil residency  By school location 
			 0-10% most deprived areas 26.0 24.3 
			 10-20% 23.8 22.9 
			 20-30% 21.6 20.7 
			 30-40% 19.4 19.1 
			 40-50% 17.3 17.4 
			 50-60% 15.3 16.4 
			 60-70% 13.9 15.5 
			 70-80% 12.6 14.7 
			 80-90% 11.6 13.8 
			 90-100% least deprived areas 9.9 12.8 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils. (2) Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools. Excludes general hospital schools. (3) Excludes pupils whose SEN status is unknown. (4) Income Deprivation Affecting Children Indices.  Source: Spring 2008 School Census.

Special Educational Needs: Disadvantaged

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 25 February 2009,  Official Report, columns 816-7W, on special educational needs: disadvantaged, what the proportion of pupils with special educational needs was in each  (a) decile and  (b) year referred to in the table.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: The information requested is as follows.
	
		
			  Proportion of pupils( 1)  with special educational needs( 2)  by IDACI( 3)  decile of known residence, 2004, 2007 and 2008 
			   Primary schools  Secondary schools( 4) 
			   2004  2007  2008  2004  2007  2008 
			 0 to 10% most deprived 24.8 26.7 26.6 25.8 29.5 31.4 
			 10 to 20% 22.9 24.6 24.9 22.8 26.3 27.9 
			 20 to 30% 21.0 22.4 23.3 20.2 23.1 24.8 
			 30 to 40% 19.2 20.9 21.3 17.5 20.4 21.8 
			 40 to 50% 17.4 18.8 19.1 15.3 17.7 19.4 
			 50 to 60% 15.6 17.0 17.2 13.5 15.7 16.9 
			 60 to 70% 14.2 15.4 15.9 12.2 14.3 15.3 
			 70 to 80% 13.0 14.3 14.5 10.7 12.8 13.8 
			 80 to 90% 11.9 13.0 13.4 9.8 11.6 12.8 
			 90 to 100% least deprived 10.5 11.7 11.7 8.3 10.1 10.8 
			 (1) Excludes dually registered pupils. (2) Excludes pupils whose SEN status is unknown. (3) Income Deprivation Affecting Children Indices. (4) Includes CTCs and academies.  Source: School Census

Special Educational Needs: Pupil Exclusions

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 3 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1071W, on special educational needs: pupil exclusions, when information on exclusions from pupil referral units ceased to be collected; and for what reasons the decision to cease collection was taken.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry: As part of the Department's efforts to reduce burdens on educational establishments, separate collections of exclusion information ceased in 2006. For mainstream schools, exclusions data is now returned through the School Census. A pilot was held to collect School Census data from Pupil Referral Units. The issues from that pilot are being addressed and a Pupil Referral Unit Census, including exclusion information, will be introduced in January 2010.

Teachers: Sick Leave

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what the average number of days sickness taken per teacher in  (a) primary and  (b) secondary schools was (i) in total and (ii) in each decile of area deprivation in each year for which figures are available.

Jim Knight: The information requested is not available broken down by phase of education or decile of area deprivation.
	Information for full-time and part-time teacher sickness absence in local authority maintained schools in England in calendar years 2000 to 2007 is available in table 13 of the school workforce statistical first release and is available at the following link:
	http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgatewav/DB/SFR/s000813/SFR262008 tables.xls

DUCHY OF LANCASTER

Central Office of Information: Manpower

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will publish the information held on the  (a) Knowledge Archive and  (b) Retain databases on the Central Office of Information (i) employee headcount, (ii) job titles in use and (iii) staff allocations between divisions in each year since 2006-07.

Liam Byrne: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Central Office of Information. I have asked the chief executive to reply.
	 Letter from Alan Bishop, dated 30 January 2009:
	As Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question (249953) to place in the Library a copy of the information held on the Knowledge Archive and Retain databases detailing information on employee headcount, job titles in use and allocation of staff between divisions in each year since 2006-07.
	The Knowledge Archive is an IT programme that categorises jobs by different headings such as type or subject in order to locate them more easily in our records. It does not have data about employee headcount, job titles or staff allocation between divisions.
	Retain is a proprietary resource planning IT tool used in just one division of COI to help manage project workflow. It does not have data about employee headcount, COI wide job titles or staff allocation between divisions.

Disclosure of Information: Home Office

David Davies: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what discussions his special adviser has had with  (a) Ministers,  (b) civil servants and  (c) others on the police investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of documents from the Home Office.

Liam Byrne: None.

Eco-towns

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether the Duchy of Lancaster has been involved in bids for, or considered any involvement in eco-town developments.

Liam Byrne: The Duchy of Lancaster has made no bids and has no involvement in eco-town developments.

Government Departments: Manpower

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many people have been employed by Government departments or agencies on  (a) a permanent basis and  (b) a temporary basis in each year since 1997, broken down by Department or agency; and in each case how many of those employees were (i) born in the UK and (ii) not born in the UK.

Kevin Brennan: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK statistics Authority. I have asked the authority to reply.
	 Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated March 2009:
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many people have been employed by Government departments or agencies on (a) a permanent basis and (b) a temporary basis in each year since 1997, broken down by department or agency; and in each case how many employees were (i) born in the UK and (ii) not born in the UK. (261035)
	The Office for National Statistics collects detailed diversity statistics for people employed by Government departments and agencies as part of the Annual Civil Service Employment Survey (ACSES). Information relating to whether employees were born (or not born) in the UK has never been collected as part of Civil Service Statistics.
	The number of people employed by Government departments or agencies on a permanent and temporary basis up to 2005 was published by Cabinet Office and is available on-line:
	http://beta.civilservice.gov.uk/about/who/statistics/archived-reports.aspx
	The number of people employed by Government departments or agencies on a permanent and temporary basis, post-2005, as published by Office for National Statistics, is detailed in Annex A.
	
		
			  Civil  S ervice employment by Department and appointment status( 1) All employees 
			  Headcount 
			   2006( 2,3)  2007( 4)  2008( 5) 
			  Department  Permanent  Temporary/casual  Permanent  Temporary/casual  Permanent  Temporary/casual 
			  Attorney-General's Departments   
			 Attorney-General's Office 40 0 50 0 50 0 
			 Crown Prosecution Service 9,040 10 8,410 370 8,330 400 
			 Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate 40 0 40 10 40 10 
			 Revenue and Customs Prosecutions Office   300 0 290 0 
			 Serious Fraud Office   310 0 310 * 
			 Treasury Solicitor 720 0 700 20 750 10 
			
			  Business, Enterprise and regulatory Reform( 6)   
			 Department of Trade and Industry(6) 4,570 20 
			 Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (excl. agencies)   3,430 10 3,450 20 
			 Advisory Conciliation and Arbitration Service   730 60 740 60 
			 Companies House   1,120 * 1,120 70 
			 Insolvency Service 2,190 30 2,430 20 2,530 10 
			 Office of Fair Trading   570 10 580 10 
			 Office of Gas and Electricity Market   280 10 280 20 
			 Postal Services Commission   60 * 60 * 
			 Small Business Service(7) 180 * 
			 Employment Tribunals Service(8)   
			
			  Cabinet Office   
			 Cabinet Office (excl. agencies)   1,360 20 1,230 10 
			 Privy Council Office(9)   
			
			  Other Cabinet Office agencies   
			 Central Office of information   620 50 690 110 
			 National School of Government   250 0 240 0 
			 Parliamentary Counsel Office   80 0 70 0 
			
			  HM Treasury   
			 HM Treasury 1,170 60 1,130 60 1,080 70 
			
			  HM Revenue and Customs   
			 HM Revenue and Customs(10)   89,910 2,200 88,900 2,050 
			 Former Inland Revenue(10) 79,620 0 
			 Former Customs and Excise(10)   
			 Valuation Office 4,770 0 4,360 20 4,280 30 
			
			  Chancellor's other departments   
			 Debt Management Office   70 * 80 * 
			 Government Actuary's Department 100 0 100 0 100 0 
			 National Savings and Investments   120 * 130 * 
			 Office for National Statistics 3,530 230 3,240 230 3,160 200 
			 Office of Government Commerce   240 10 180 50 
			 OGC Buying.solutions   280 * 260 * 
			 Royal Mint 730 120 670 50 710 40 
			
			  Charity Commission   
			 Charity Commission 550 10 500 10 490 10 
			
			  Children, Schools and Families   
			 Department for Children, Schools and Families(11)   3,490 20 3,340 10 
			
			  Education and Skills   
			 Department for Education and Skills(12) 4,320 20 
			
			  Innovation, Universities and Skills   
			 Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills(13)   790 * 790 * 
			 National Weights and Measures Laboratory 50 * 50 * 50 0 
			 UK Intellectual Property Office 960 0 1,010 0 1,000 0 
			
			  Office for Standards in Education   
			 Office for Standards in Education   2,630 120 2,460 110 
			
			  Communities and Local Government   
			 Department for Communities and Local Government (excl. agencies) 3,660 40 2,880 60 2,930 60 
			 Fire Service College   250 0 240 * 
			 Ordnance Survey 1,450 0 1,400 20 1,390 20 
			 Planning Inspectorate 960 20 860 0 840 0 
			 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre   50 * 50 * 
			
			  Culture, Media and Sport   
			 Department for Culture, Media and Sport 580 0 520 * 470 10 
			 Royal Parks 90 10 90 10 100 0 
			
			  Defence   
			 Ministry of Defence 74,720 1,140 70,210 930 68,220 790 
			 Royal Fleet Auxiliary 2,370 0 2,350 0 2,280 0 
			 Army Base Repair Organisation 2,150 0 2,160 20 2,340 30 
			 Defence Aviation Repair Agency 2,500 0 2,030 20 2,000 20 
			 Defence Science and Technology Laboratory 3,390 0 3,350 40 3,410 40 
			 Meteorological Office 1,700 0 1,660 20 1,770 20 
			 UK Hydro graphic Office 970 0 1,040 10 1,040 10 
			
			  Environment, Food and Rural Affairs   
			 Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (excl. agencies) 5,690 120 3,630 50 3,050 40 
			 Animal Health 1,430 60 1,690 40 1,640 30 
			 Central Science Laboratory 680 70 640 30 640 20 
			 Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science 550 * 550 10 530 10 
			 Government Decontamination Services 20 * 20 * 30 * 
			 Marine Fisheries Agency 160 0 180 * 180 0 
			 Office of Water Services 190 10 200 10 200 10 
			 Pesticides Safety Directorate 200 10 190 * 180 * 
			 Rural Payments Agency   3,550 200 3,440 100 
			 Veterinary Laboratories Agency 1,320 30 1,290 30 1,280 20 
			 Veterinary Medicines Directorate 150 0 140 0 140 0 
			
			  Export Credit Guarantee Department   
			 Export Credit Guarantee Department 260 * 220 0 210 0 
			
			  Foreign and Commonwealth Office   
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (excl. agencies) 6,610 50 6,070 0 5,950 0 
			 Wilton Park Executive Agency 70 0 80 0 70 0 
			
			  Health   
			 Department of Health (excl. agencies) 2,590 40 2,200 30 2,180 40 
			 Food Standards Agency   780 20 770 20 
			 Meat Hygiene Service   1,330 10 1,230 10 
			 Medical and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency   830 40 860 40 
			 National Healthcare Purchasing and Supplies Agency   320 10 270 * 
			 NHS Business Services Authority(14)   250 0 240 0 
			
			  Home Office   
			 Home Office (excl. Agencies) 24,830 460 2,670 90 2,720 50 
			 Border and Immigration Agency(15)   18,430 210 19,290 70 
			 Criminal Records Bureau   430 0 480 0 
			 Identity and Passport Service   4,030 20 4,050 10 
			 Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism(16)   220 10 250 * 
			 Assets Recovery Agency(17)   180 10   
			
			  Justice   
			 Ministry of Justice (excl. agencies)   3,590 110 3,680 110 
			 HM Courts Service   20,960 500 20,830 610 
			 Land Registry 8,500 30 8,210 30 8,020 40 
			 National Archives   600 10 610 10 
			 Public Guardianship Office   330 * 310 * 
			 Public Sector Prison Service 48,010 1,140 49,170 1,130 49,970 1,280 
			 Scotland Office 50 0 30 0 60 0 
			 Tribunals Service   2,850 140 2,840 140 
			 Wales Office   50 * 50 10 
			
			  International Development   
			 Department for International Development   1,740 0 1,670 * 
			
			  Northern Ireland Office   
			 Northern Ireland Office 170 0 140 * 130 * 
			
			  Security and Intelligence Services   
			 Security and Intelligence Services 5,130 10 5,260 0 5,320 0 
			
			  Transport   
			 Department for Transport (excl. agencies) 2,280 0 2,000 20 2,020 20 
			 Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency 6,710 270 6,690 570 6,440 170 
			 Driving Standards Agency 2,740 10 2,650 0 2,700 * 
			 Government Car and Despatch Agency   290 * 310 * 
			 Highways Agency 3,430 0 3,480 10 3,510 10 
			 Maritime and Coastguard Agency   1,240 30 1,180 50 
			 Office of Rail Regulation   330 10 330 10 
			 Vehicle and Operator Services Agency 2,660 0 2,360 110 2,430 120 
			 Vehicle Certification Agency 110 0 120 * 130 * 
			
			  Work and Pensions   
			 DWP Corporate and Shared Services(18) 11,200 410 
			 DWP Corporate Services(18)   5,710 50 5,650 40 
			 DWP Shared Services(18)   4,600 120 4,450 140 
			 Child Support Agency 12,890 340 11,690 40 10,710 20 
			 Disability and Carers Service 7,300 70 6,550 60 6,270 * 
			 Job Centre Plus 79,040 2,210 73,700 1,160 73,320 1,020 
			 Pension Service 14,330 660 12,500 270 11,670 120 
			 The Health and Safety Executive 4,010 0 3,780 0 3,600 0 
			 The Rent Service 0 0 650 0 570 0 
			
			  Scottish Government   
			 Scottish Government (excl. agencies) 5,190 80 4,370 40 4,500 90 
			 Communities Scotland 440 * 400 * 360 * 
			 Courts Group 40 0 40 0 30 0 
			 Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service   1,560 70 1,560 80 
			 Fisheries Research Services 310 20 310 20 310 10 
			 General Register Scotland 250 10 270 10 280 10 
			 Historic Scotland 990 100 1,000 70 1,020 70 
			 HM Inspectorate of Education 200 * 200 * 200 * 
			 Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland 70 0 70 0 80 0 
			 National Archives for Scotland 150 * 150 10 150 10 
			 Office of Accountant in Bankruptcy 110 * 120 * 100 * 
			 Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator 30 0 40 0 50 0 
			 Registers of Scotland 1,440 20 1,350 10 1,280 30 
			 Scottish Agricultural Scientific Agency 150 10 140 10 140 10 
			 Scottish Buildings Standards Agency 30 0 30 0 30 0 
			 Scottish Court Service 1,200 40 1,290 0 1,400 0 
			 Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency 320 * 310 * 300 10 
			 Scottish Prison Service   4,010 40 4,000 40 
			 Scottish Public Pensions Agency 220 * 220 * 220 0 
			 Social Work Inspection Agency 70 * 50 0 50 0 
			 Student Awards Agency 150 * 150 * 140 * 
			 Transport Scotland 220 * 250 * 250 * 
			
			  Welsh Assembly   
			 Welsh Assembly Government 5,760 310 5,690 340 5,680 480 
			 ESTYN 100 0 90 0 100 0 
			 Assembly Parliamentary Service(19)   
			
			 All employees 477,870 8,290 521,620 10,210 515,660 9,490 
			 (1) Numbers are rounded to the nearest ten, and numbers less than five are represented by *. Data not available are represented by . (2) Collection reference date 30 September 2006. (3) The data for 2006 is based on the Mandate collection which provides approximately 80 per cent. coverage of Civil Service departments and agencies. (4) Collection reference date 30 September 2007. (5) Collection reference dale 31 March 2008. (6) The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform was formed in June 2007 from part of the former Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Better Regulation Executive (BRE from the Cabinet Office and the Regional Economic Performance Unit from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG). (7) For the 2007 and 2008 collections data for the Small Business Service was included as part of the main Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) data. (8) Employment Tribunals ServiceDepartment for Trade and Industry (now Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform) funding ceased from April 2006, as responsibility transferred to Department for Constitutional Affairs (now Ministry of Justice). (9) Privy Council Office ceased to exist 1 April 2007. (10) HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) was formed on 18 April 2005, following the merger of Inland Revenue and HM Customs and Excise Departments. (11) Department for Children, Schools and Families was formed from part of the Department for Education and Skills in June 2007. (12) Department for Education and Skills (DFES) ceased to exist in June 2007. It was replaced by two new Departments, namely, Department for Children, Schools and Families and Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills. (13) Department for innovation, Universities and Skills was formed from part of the Department for Education and Skills in June 2007 (14) NHS Business Services Authority was created 1 October 2005 and began operating on 1 April 2006. (15) Border and Immigration agency were formed 1 April 2007. (16) Office for Security and Counter-Terrorism was formed July 2007. (17) Assets Recovery Agency ceased to exist in its own right as of March 2008. (18) For the 2006 collection DWP provided combined data for its Corporate and Shared Service. For 2007 and 2008 separate data returns were provided for DWP Corporate Services and DWP Shared Services. (19) From 1 April 2007 Assembly Parliamentary Service were no longer classified as Civil Service.  Source: (Unpublished) Annual Civil Service Employment Survey and Mandate Collection.

Government Departments: Publicity

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much was spent by the Government on public relations, advertising and marketing in each year from 1995 to 2005 according to figures held by the Central Office of Information.

Liam Byrne: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Central Office of Information. I have asked the chief executive to reply.
	 Letter from Alan Bishop, dated 30 January 2009:
	Government expenditure on public relations, advertising and marketing on figures held by COI for year from 1995 to 2005.
	These are listed in the table below.
	
		
			  Year   million 
			 1995-06 76 
			 1996-07 81.2 
			 1997-08 68.6 
			 1998-09 126.7 
			 1999-2000 148.6 
			 2000-01 227.1 
			 2001-02 196.7 
			 2002-03 189.8 
			 2003-04 233.6 
			 2004-05 251

Iraq: Weapons

John Baron: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the 2008 ruling by the Information Tribunal on publication of the John Williams draft of the 2002 Iraq dossier, 
	(1)  whether on 9 September 2002 Mr. Williams was  (a) present at a meeting and  (b) a member of a group tasked with drafting a preliminary document described by that meeting as a 'draft assessment' to be used in the production of a draft dossier; and which other meetings he attended for the purpose of producing a draft dossier;
	(2)  whether  (a) Mr. Williams and  (b) any other communications official subsequently drafted any part of the dossier (i) on and (ii) after 9 September 2002;
	(3)  whether his Department holds a record of the identities of those officials who drafted any element of the 2002 Iraq dossier on 9 and 10 September 2002 prior to the despatch of a draft by John Scarlett to Alastair Campbell on the evening of 10 September 2002;
	(4)  who the authors were of the documents submitted by his Department to Lord Hutton's Inquiry and catalogued CAB/23/0005 to CAB/23/0014; which officials added handwritten notes to the documents; and  (a) for what purpose and  (b) on what date those documents were produced;
	(5)  whether the inclusion in the 2002 Iraq dossier of reference to intelligence suggesting that Iraq could launch weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes resulted from the discussion of the Joint Intelligence Committee's assessment of 9 September 2002 at a meeting of the dossier drafting group on the afternoon of 9 September 2002.

Liam Byrne: holding answer 27 February 2009
	Matters relating to the weapons of mass destruction (WMD) dossier were examined in great detail by the inquiry led by Lord Hutton, Lord Butler's 'Review of Intelligence on Weapons of Mass Destruction' and the Intelligence and Security Committee's report 'Iraqi WMDIntelligence and Assessments'.

Media Monitoring Unit

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster what individual annual subscription fees were paid to the Media Monitoring Unit by each subscribing Government department, agency and non-departmental body in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Central Office of Information. I have asked the chief executive to reply.
	 Letter from Alan Bishop, dated 30 January 2009:
	listing what individual annual subscription fees were paid to the Media Monitoring Unit by each subscribing Government department, agency and non-departmental body in the most recent year for which figures are available.
	These figures are listed in the following table.
	
		
			  2007-08 
			  Customer Name  Total  () 
			   
			 Attorney General's Office 12,500.00 
			 Bank of England 9,400.00 
			 Cabinet Office 18,500.00 
			 Cabinet Office Communications 75,000.00 
			 Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre 4,500.00 
			 Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform 68,700.00 
			 Department for Children, Schools and Families 68,700.00 
			 Department for Communities and Local Government 75,000.00 
			 Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 62,700.00 
			 Department for International Development 30,000.00 
			 Department for Transport 68,700.00 
			 Department for Work and Pensions 68,700.00 
			 Department of Health 68,700.00 
			 Food Standards Agency 22,150.00 
			 Foreign and Commonwealth Office 118,500.00 
			 Health and Safety Executive 17,500.00 
			 Health Protection Agency 9,400.00 
			 HM Revenue and Customs 25,000.00 
			 Home Office 75,000.00 
			 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority 9,400.00 
			 Judicial Communications Office for England and Wales 9,400.00 
			 Metropolitan Police Service 17,125.00 
			 Ministry of Defence 68,700.00 
			 Ministry of Justice 37,500.00 
			 Office of Government Commerce 9,400.00 
			 OFSTED 9,400.00 
			 Partnership for Schools 9,400.00 
			 SOCA 9,400.00 
			 Prime Minister's Office 84,000.00 
			 Qualifications and Curriculum Authority 9,400.00 
			 The Wales Office 9,400.00 
			 HMT 68,700.00 
			   
			 Grand Total 1,249,875.00

Ministerial Responsibility

Francis Maude: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster with reference to his evidence to the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications on 5 November 2008, question 568, what his definition of a substantial announcement is.

Liam Byrne: I would define a substantial announcement as one which should be brought to the House first either via an oral or a written ministerial statement.

Public Sector: Internet

Nick Hurd: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how many public sector websites with unique universal resource locators are in operation in England.

Liam Byrne: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the Central Office of Information. I have asked the chief executive to reply.
	 L etter from Alan Bishop, dated 13 January 2009:
	As Chief Executive of the Central Office of Information (COI), I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question (250506) asking how many public sector websites with unique URLs are in operation in England.
	Although we keep a register of all central government websites, it does not cover the wider public sector. As of end September 2008, Department Website Reviews have identified 1012 websites in operation by central government departments, executive agencies and non-departmental public bodies. This is the total number of websites identified minus the number of closed websites. Some will have multiple URLs, for example to handle misspellings or to guard against misrepresentation.

BUSINESS, ENTERPRISE AND REGULATORY REFORM

Bankruptcy: Cleveland

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many businesses in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency were declared bankrupt in each of the last 24 months.

Patrick McFadden: Self-employed traders may be declared bankrupt (or enter into an individual voluntary arrangement [IVA]), however, registered companies are the subject of liquidation (compulsory liquidation or creditors voluntary liquidation [CVL]).
	It is not currently possible, from information held centrally in electronic format, to count the number of insolvent companies in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency.
	However, the following table shows the number of self-employed bankruptcies in each month between October 2006 to December 2007.
	
		
			  Self-employed bankruptcies in Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency 
			Number 
			 2006 October 1 
			  November 1 
			  December 0 
			
			 2007 January 1 
			  February 1 
			  March 1 
			  April 3 
			  May 0 
			  June 1 
			  July 1 
			  August 1 
			  September 0 
			  October 3 
			  November 0 
			  December 1 
			  Notes: 1. Classifying bankrupts into administrative geographies is done using the postcode the individual provides. 2. In particular, inaccurate or missing postcodes mean that the numbers in the above table will be subject to an element of missing data. Nationally, this proportion has been decreasing from about 12 per cent. in 2000 to less than 4 per cent. in 2007. 3. Figures are not yet available for 2008. 4. Changes were made to the part of the database used to capture information on trading status and consistent data is only available from October 2006 onwards. 5. Similar information is not available for individual voluntary arrangements entered into by the self-employed.

Business

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent assessment he has made of levels of entrepreneurship culture in the UK fashion industry; what steps he plans to take to increase entrepreneurial activity in other industries; and if he will make a statement.

Barbara Follett: I have been asked to reply.
	The Creative Economy Programme looked at these issues for all the creative industries, including designer fashion. As a result we are:
	supporting the expansion of apprenticeships in the fashion industry through the Creative Economy Programme;
	supporting the creation of a Couture Academy to address critical skills shortage areas;
	funding the Centre for Fashion Enterprise to explore the feasibility of a hub to allow small designers to access competitively priced and high quality manufacturing.
	The Government remain committed to making the UK the best place in the world to start and grow a business.
	The UK business environment is recognised as among the best in the world, in particular:
	The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) says UK has lowest barriers to entrepreneurship of all OECD countries.
	The World Bank ranks the UK second in Europe, and puts the UK in top 10 globally (out of 181 countries) in terms of ease of doing business.
	Solutions for Business, the Government's streamlined portfolio of publicly-funded business support products and services, delivered via Business Link:
	http://www.businesslink.gov.uk
	provides comprehensive assistance to help companies start, grow and succeed.

Business: Wales

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how many companies in Wales have  (a) applied for and  (b) received loans from the European Investment Bank Group in each of the last six months.

Ian Pearson: The European Investment Bank (EIB) publishes data and status information on individual loans on its public website (www.eib.org). The status of a loan can fall into one of three stages:
	(1) under appraisal;
	(2) approved by the Board of Directors of the EIB; and
	(3) signed by borrower and the EIB.

Departmental Art Works

Shailesh Vara: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which works of art from the Government Art Collection each Minister in his Department has selected for display in a private office.

Patrick McFadden: The following items on loan from the Government Art Collection are displayed in BERR Ministers' offices:
	 Secretary of State, the right hon. Lord Mand el son:
	Painting: Queen Elizabeth 1 (1563-1603) ReignedAnon British artist
	Painting: The RoadDavid Tindle
	Print: Untitled RedLewin Bassingthwaite
	Print: The Angels of BoulogneChris Orr
	Painting: Circus FolkDavid Bomberg
	 Minister for Employment and Postal Affairs, Pat McFadden
	Painting: Snow in the MidlandsEvelyn Gibbs
	Painting: Still Life with FishMary Fedden
	Painting: London Wall and St Giles CripplegateWilliam J McLeod.

Departmental Data Protection

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform whether any data losses from his Department have occurred in the last six months; and if he will make a statement.

Patrick McFadden: In line with the Government's review of data handling procedures in Government and publication of its interim and final reports, the Department will cover information assurance issues, including any data loss incidents, in its Annual Report to Parliament.

Departmental ICT

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform which ICT projects are being funded by his Department; and how much the (a) original estimate and  (b) current expected outturn cost of each is.

Patrick McFadden: The current ICT projects being funded by Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform are as follows, with their original estimate and their current expected outturn costs:
	HR Onlinewhich is a new HR system for professional users and providing individual self-help services; estimated life-time cost 14 million up until 2012; current expected outturn cost 8 million development and 1.1 million per annum support and associated running costs.
	SPIRE 3enhancements to an existing system supporting export control; estimated life-time cost 1 million up until 2012; current expected outturn cost 897,000 development and 155,000 per annum support and associated running costs.
	RITEa system allowing remote and secure access to BERR's IT systems; estimated lifetime cost of 2.3 million up until 2012; current expected outturn cost 800,000 development and 641 per annum support and associated running costs.
	Point of Single Contactan EU directive project, funded by the EU; estimated development and implementation cost 1.6 million but with ongoing support costs still being negotiated with the supplier.

Departmental Official Hospitality

Robert Wilson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much his Department has spent on  (a) alcohol and  (b) food since its inception.

Patrick McFadden: This Department does not separately itemise spending on alcohol and food.

Departmental Public Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much capital spending is planned to be brought forward by his Department to  (a) 2008-09 and  (b) 2009-10.

Patrick McFadden: This Department has no capital expenditure brought forward to 2008-09 or 2009-10 but the Regional Development Agencies (RDA) are bringing forward 97.6 million planned capital expenditure from 2010-11 to 2009-10 as part of the fiscal stimulus programme.

Fire Services: Working Hours

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what recent discussions the Government have had within the Council of Ministers on the effect on retained firefighters of ending the UK's opt-out from the EU Working Time Directive.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 9 March 2009
	The UK Government recognises that losing the individual's right to opt-out of the 48-hour working week as set by the Working Time Directive, would have a detrimental effect on the hours which firefighters working the retained duty system could be available for duty, especially the substantial numbers who work full time for their primary employer. Many other workers also use this important flexibility and so and we remain firmly of the view that this right should remain. We, along with a majority of other member states are fighting for the retention of the opt-out as this dossier progresses through the European negotiation process.
	I am very aware of the widespread concern on this issue amongst retained firefighters, and both from my Department and the Department for Communities and Local Government have worked very closely with the Retained Firefighters' Union and will continue to keep them informed throughout the negotiations.

Members: Correspondence

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when he plans to reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for North East Hampshire of 10 June 2008 on a constituent, Mr Richard Stevens.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 10 February 2009
	I responded to the hon. Member on 3 March.

Members: Correspondence

Simon Burns: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform when the Secretary of State plans to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for West Chelmsford of 24 November 2008 on his constituent, Mr Alan Briggs of Walford Place.

Patrick McFadden: holding answer 12 February 2009
	I responded to the hon. Member on 27 February.

Redundancy

Theresa May: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what estimate he has made of the  (a) number of people made redundant,  (b) number of statutory redundancy payments made and  (c) average value of statutory redundancy payments in each (i) month of the last five years for which figures are available and (ii) year since 1997.

Patrick McFadden: The information is provided in the following tables.
	 (a) The Office for National Statistics' survey the number of people made redundant in the last three months in their quarterly Labour Force Survey. The following two tables show this information on a quarterly basis over the last five years and over the calendar year since 1997.
	
		
			  Quarterly UK redundancy numbers (ILO definition) 
			   Quarter  Number (Thousand) 
			  2004 Q1 139 
			  Q2 148 
			  Q3 133 
			  Q4 144 
			 Total  564 
			
			  2005 Q1 134 
			  Q2 131 
			  Q3 160 
			  Q4 146 
			 Total  571 
			
			  2006 Q1 142 
			  Q2 139 
			  Q3 137 
			  Q4 134 
			 Total  552 
			
			  2007 Q1 145 
			  Q2 121 
			  Q3 129 
			  Q4 111 
			 Total  506 
			
			  2008   
			  Q1 111 
			  Q2 127 
			  Q3 156 
			  Q4 259 
			 Total  653 
			  Source: ONS Labour Market Statistics (BEAO) 
		
	
	
		
			  Annual UK redundancy numbers (ILO definition) 
			   Number (Thousand) 
			 1997 620 
			 1998 677 
			 1999 712 
			 2000 677 
			 2001 709 
			 2002 741 
			 2003 630 
			 2004 564 
			 2005 571 
			 2006 552 
			 2007 506 
			 2008 653 
			  Source:  ONS Labour Market Statistics (BEAO) 
		
	
	 (b) and  (c) no information is held on statutory redundancy payments made or the average value of payments.

Regional Development Agencies: Consultants

Bob Neill: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 5 February 2009 to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar,  Official Report, column 1464W, on regional development agencies: consultants, if he will place in the Library a copy of the report and analysis produced by Linstock Communications for the National Secretariat of Regional Development Agencies.

Patrick McFadden: A copy of the report can not be placed in the Library of the House as the RDA National Secretariat is bound by the intellectual property and confidentiality clauses contained in the procurement contract with the consultant.

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Grant Shapps: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what the  (a) budget and  (b) administrative cost of each regional development agency (RDA) has been in each year since its creation; and what the estimated administrative cost of each RDA is for 2008-09.

Patrick McFadden: The RDAs' grant in aid and administration budgets from 1999 to 2007 is set out in the following tables. Also, the estimated 2008-09 administration budget of each RDA is given.
	
		
			  RDA Grant in aid budgets 
			   million 
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2000-0  2000-03  2000-04  2000-05  2000-06  2000-07  2000-08 
			 AWM 103 113 141 204 240 219 288 282 291 
			 EEDA 30 36 55 88 80 84 130 139 134 
			 EMDA 41 67 86 101 117 119 160 160 170 
			 LDA  235 266 295 317 328 397 416 386 
			 NWDA 141 156 270 274 309 367 384 402 390 
			 ONE 92 98 158 193 223 226 245 273 276 
			 SEEDA 63 73 97 112 136 113 167 172 162 
			 SWRDA 43 62 85 103 99 113 151 171 156 
			 YF 121 125 207 211 244 288 293 313 300 
		
	
	
		
			  RDA Administration Budgets( 1) 
			  000 
			   1999-2000  2000-01  2000-0  2000-03  2000-04  2000-05  2000-06  2000-07  2000-08  2000-09 
			 AWM 9,200 11,884 13,023 15,616 18,199 21,050 21,311 20,535 20,992 24,491 
			 EEDA 4,414 5,493 7,038 9,099 9,847 11,061 12,909 15,873 17,092 16,968 
			 EMDA 8,254 8,365 8,821 11,180 12,878 13,516 15,802 16,387 17,553 18,934 
			 LDA . 0 5,690 10,957 16,692 14,555 30,609 32,057 37,660 43,819 43,707 
			 NWDA 10,868 13,224 16,219 43,098 58,063 30,585 25,680 38,841 34,281 38,378 
			 ONE 16,583 15,990 16,658 18,875 22,024 22,239 23,748 24,828 24,727 28,149 
			 SEEDA 6,817 8,533 10,469 14,591 19,274 20,138 22,340 24,339 26,146 24,109 
			 SWRDA 9,084 8,800 9,577 15„794 17,919 17,756 20,697 23,065 24,385 26,414 
			 YF 12,337 14,867 14,901 16,608 19,410 20,097 22,192 23,727 28,733 24,973 
			 (1) Administration budgets include salaries (2) Planned administration expenditure

Regional Development Agencies: Finance

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform how much each regional development agency spent on administration in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Patrick McFadden: The following table shows RDAs' administration spend for 2007-08.
	
		
			  RDA administration budgets 2007-08 
			  RDA  000 
			 AWM 20,992 
			 EEDA 17,092 
			 EMDA 17,553 
			 LDA 43,819 
			 NWDA 34,281 
			 ONE 24,727 
			 SEEDA 26,146 
			 SWRDA 24,385 
			 YF 28,733

Union Modernisation Fund

Francis Maude: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform pursuant to the answer of 4 February 2009,  Official Report, column 1319W, on the union modernisation fund, who the members of the Supervisory Board are; and what declaration of political activity each has made.

Patrick McFadden: The members of the Supervisory Board are:
	Sir Bill Connor (Chair)
	Bruce Warman
	Professor Willy Brown, CBE
	Jeannie Drake, CBE
	Danny Carrigan
	Adrian Askew
	In addition two new board members have joined this month they are:
	Professor David Gordon
	David Lebrecht
	At the time of their appointment, the members of the Union Modernisation Fund Supervisory Board declared the following interests:
	Bill Connor declared that he had spoken on behalf of a party or candidate and canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election (for the Labour party);
	Adrian Askew declared that he had held office such as Chair, Treasurer or Secretary of a local branch of a party and canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election (for the Labour party);
	William Brown declared no political activity;
	Danny Carrigan declared that he had canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election and a member of the national executive committee (for the Labour party);
	Jeannie Drake declared that she had canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election and a member of the Labour Party National Policy Forum (for the Labour party);
	David Metcalfe declared that he had canvassed on behalf of a party or helped at election and undertaken any political activity which is considered relevant (for the Labour party). David Metcalfe has subsequently resigned;
	Bruce Wariman declared no political activity;
	Professor David Gordon declared I am a member of the Cooperative Party which aims to foster the agenda and activities of the cooperative movement in the UK. The Cooperative party is affiliated to the Labour party and also supports the woodcraft folk which is a youth movement/club which my daughter attends;
	David Lebrecht declared no political activity.